The New York Times described an unborn child’s detectable heartbeat as “embryonic pulsing” in its article this week detailing the bold pro-life movement sweeping the states.

Several states have passed versions of heartbeat bills, which essentially prohibit abortions after a heartbeat is detected. This typically occurs six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. Louisiana is the latest state to take action. Gov. John Bel Edwards, the state’s pro-life Democrat governor, expressed his support for the bill and signed it into law Thursday.

“In 2015, I ran for governor as a pro-life candidate after serving as a pro-life legislator for eight years,” Edwards said in a statement released Wednesday. “As governor, I have been true to my word and my beliefs on this issue.”

“I know there are many who feel just as strongly as I do on abortion and disagree with me — and I respect their opinions,” he continued. “As I prepare to sign this bill, I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for it to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.”

My statement on the passage of SB 184 following final passage by the Louisiana Legislature. #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/SxadrmuUTC — John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) May 29, 2019

The New York Times (NYT) opted to use phrases that appear to dehumanize the unborn, referring to an unborn child’s heartbeat as “embryonic pulsing”:

A State House vote on Wednesday moved the abortion measure to the governor’s desk, after lawmakers rejected a series of amendments including an exception for cases of rape or incest. The measure would require an ultrasound test for any woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy, and forbid abortion if the test detects embryonic pulsing — which can occur before many women know they are pregnant. Abortions would be permitted only to save a woman’s life or to prevent a “serious risk” to her health.

As LifeNews further noted:

Rather than say the word “heartbeat,” the New York Times used the words “the pulsing of what becomes the fetus’s heart.” It also described the legislation as a “so-called fetal heartbeat bill” – as if it is questionable whether the unborn baby actually has a heart or a heartbeat.

NYT is not the only outlet that has struggled in this particular area. Recently, ABC correspondent Steve Osunsami described supporters of Louisiana’s pro-life law as those who “believe that a fetal heartbeat can be detected.”

An unborn child’s detectable heartbeat is not a matter of opinion, which makes his assertion questionable.