DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Baby Olivia isn’t a real baby. It’s an animated fetus that develops over the course of a three-minute video that has become a new front in state-level abortion politics.

Proposed laws in the states of Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia would mandate that students in public schools view a video similar to “Baby Olivia,” produced by an organization that is against abortion. These bills are modeled after a law passed in North Dakota in 2019.

The group Live Action and those in favor of the bill argue that it would educate children about their origins and promote a respect for human life. However, certain educators and doctors believe the video is misleading and unsuitable for a young viewership.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a group of professionals with a membership of 60,000+, stated via email that the video contains false information about abortion and is intended to manipulate viewers’ emotions.

Here is some introductory information about the video and the controversy it has generated.

Baby Olivia is the starring character in an animated video that’s meant to visualize development in the womb. A voiceover introduces viewers to Olivia as an illustration of a fully developed baby in utero appears on screen. Olivia’s mouth and eyes open and close, and her hands move.

The speaker states that even though she hasn’t experienced the world beyond, she has already accomplished an incredible journey.

The website for Live Action states that its purpose is to change public perception on abortion and advocates for a culture that values life.

The creator, Lila Rose, stated that the video was created to educate viewers in a realistic and suitable manner, and was made with input from medical professionals. Out of the six professionals consulted, two are OB-GYNs while the remaining four have expertise in anatomy, biochemistry, pediatric medicine, and neuroscience.

According to filing records, the organization expended approximately $5 million in 2022 on the production and dissemination of content. Additionally, these records reveal that Live Action’s cash flow from donations and grants increased by over four times in a span of four years, reaching a total of $14 million in 2022.

Live Action is also recognized for their initiatives to uncover Planned Parenthood by releasing undercover videos and reports acquired by pretending to be patients.

A different group, the Center for Medical Progress, also made similar attempts which resulted in a federal jury granting Planned Parenthood $2 million in compensation in 2019. David Daleiden, who co-founded the Center for Medical Progress, had previously been employed by Live Action, but Live Action was not implicated or involved in the lawsuit.

The video demonstrates the process of fertilization and implantation of an egg, and then explores the stages of embryonic and fetal growth during pregnancy.

The statement identifies common milestones in the typical growth process as described by Rose, using the measurement of “weeks after fertilization.” This differs from the measurement of “weeks after the last menstrual cycle” typically used by doctors when discussing pregnancy.

In a letter to state lawmakers, Iowa physicians and educators stated that the video’s use of “weeks after fertilization” is misleading because it suggests milestones occur approximately two weeks earlier than they actually do.

Rose stated that the phrase “weeks after fertilization” is commonly used in academic settings, such as biology classes. Live Action countered that those who criticize inaccuracies in their content are not acknowledging this distinction.

According to Iowa healthcare professionals and teachers, the use of the term “fetal heartbeat” is a subject of much controversy. The embryo is not considered a fetus until six weeks and does not have a heart at this stage.

The video also explains the movements and behaviors of the animated character using terms such as “playing,” “exploring,” “sighing,” and making “speaking movements.” These words attribute human characteristics and qualities to a developing embryo that may not be scientifically supported, according to Emily Boevers, a practicing OB-GYN from Iowa and co-founder of Iowans for Health Liberty, an organization that promotes access to reproductive healthcare.

According to Boevers, there are indicators of brain development and activity. However, the language used in the video suggests a level of intention that cannot be definitively confirmed.

Representative Luana Stoltenberg from Iowa, a member of the Republican party, expressed approval for the video’s depiction of science. She believes that showcasing fetal development could aid in children’s understanding of their origins.

“What is the worst-case scenario?” Stoltenberg asked. “Perhaps a young child gains knowledge about their own development and growth, leading them to make the decision to not have an abortion if they become pregnant. Is that such a terrible outcome?”

According to Rose, the criticism is coming from supporters of abortion rights who oppose the depiction of life in the womb because it challenges their belief that this life is not deserving of protection.

Senator Patricia Rucker, a member of the Republican party in West Virginia, stated that Baby Olivia’s story is not about promoting a specific viewpoint or political agenda. Rather, it highlights the natural process of human growth as something beautiful and extraordinary, similar to the development of a chick. She also believes that teachers can use this story as a starting point for deeper discussions and explanations.

Several states have begun implementing stricter regulations regarding the content and timing of sex education. The aim of both state and federal agencies when educating students is often to prevent teenage pregnancies and decrease the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Katie Christensen, the director of Planned Parenthood in North Dakota with a graduate degree in human development and family science, believes that educating children about pregnancy and conception should be included in a comprehensive and medically correct curriculum.

Christensen stated that in promoting the well-being of adolescents, she has never come across the statement that “these kids need to watch an ultrasound video.”

According to North Dakota’s legislation, health and human sexuality classes must incorporate a brief ultrasound video and a digitally created image of fetal development. Although the law does not explicitly require the use of Baby Olivia, the state’s department of public instruction does mention it as a possible resource.

The Associated Press surveyed the top 12 school districts in North Dakota regarding the mentioned video. Out of the 10 that responded, five utilize Baby Olivia. One of these districts is Fargo Public Schools, which serves approximately 10% of the state’s students and also presents a second video to ninth grade students.

The district of Bismarck, which is the largest, does not utilize Baby Olivia. According to an email sent to the AP, West Fargo Public Schools includes a “significantly longer” video in their curriculum, which already covers some of the same information. The district also mentioned that the video teaches additional health standards related to pregnancy.

The newest proposal in Iowa, which was approved by the committee, would mandate the viewing of a video, such as “Baby Olivia” or something similar, beginning in the seventh grade.

The proposed legislation in West Virginia aims to include a presentation on Baby Olivia specifically for eighth and 10th grade students. According to Rucker, the bill is likely to be combined with other proposals before progressing to the next stage.

In Missouri, it is mandatory for students to watch the Baby Olivia video by the third grade. In Kentucky, any video that meets the standards can be shown as early as sixth grade according to the proposal. Although both bills were introduced in January, they have not yet been scheduled for hearings.

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The article has been amended to state that Live Action was not involved as a defendant in a federal lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood.