DES MOINES, Iowa — Legislation moving through the Iowa statehouse involves a controversial video depicting fetal development and would require that the video be played in all Iowa middle and high schools.
Both the content of the video and the organization that created it have stirred up controversy over the proposed bill, House File 2617. Democrats have called the bill "indoctrination," while Republicans are focused on the educational value for students.
Representative Anne Osmundson, R-Clayton County, led consideration of the bill on the House debate floor last Wednesday.
"This is teaching basic biology to our children, and it helps to answer one of life's biggest questions: 'Where did I come from?'" Osmundson said.
“This is putting content in the classroom to change students minds about a political issue," Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Polk County, told the floor.
The video suggested by the legislation is similar to one made by an anti-abortion rights organization -- Live Action -- widely known as the "Meet Baby Olivia" video. Live Action's website states that they exist "to shift public opinion on the killing of preborn children and defend the rights of these most vulnerable among us."
Democratic Rep. Sharon Steckman of Cerro Gordo County argued that the video is "a piece of propaganda being imposed on our children from an extreme group." This opinion was shared among many other House Democrats.
It was also argued by Democrats that the video is medically inaccurate and deliberately misinterprets the stages of fetal development.
“We've been hearing from many Iowa physicians who are concerned with the medical inaccuracies of the video, as it contradicts established guidelines from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology," Rep. Molly Buck, D-Polk, said.
Those claims were shot down by Osmundson.
"It has been reviewed and endorsed by several medical experts. Science educators across the nation have endorsed this video," she said.
Despite the back-and-forth debate, the vote did go the Republicans’ way. House lawmakers voted 59-35 to approve the measure.
Similar legislation has passed in West Virginia, Missouri and Kentucky in recent weeks, according to Buck.
The bill now moves to the Iowa Senate for further consideration.