By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Donald T. Eason

It is legal to sign a contract that treats a newborn as a product you can return. That stark reality hit home when cardiac nurse McKenna West was asked by a California couple to abort a baby with a serious heart defect at 23 weeks. She refused, crossed state lines, and brought the child to Texas where surgery saved its life.

The McKenna West Case: A Life‑Saving Decision

McKenna West, a cardiac nurse, was introduced through Cure America to a surrogate arrangement involving a couple from Los Angeles. When prenatal scans revealed a left‑side heart defect, the intended parents asked her to terminate the pregnancy at about 23 weeks. “I don’t feel comfortable doing that,” West said, refusing the request.

Instead, she sought physicians in Texas—states where recent legislation protects fetal life beyond six weeks. West gave birth in Texas, and the infant underwent successful cardiac surgery within days. The child’s survival illustrates how state‑level pro‑life statutes can provide a medical safety net that other jurisdictions lack.

Surrogacy, Contracts and the Sanctity of Childbirth

Mark Wiltz, director of government affairs at Live Action, framed the broader issue as the “commodification of parenthood.” He warned that treating children as tradable assets erodes the biblical foundation of family, which he described as “the bedrock institution” ordained by Scripture. Wiltz noted that no civilization thrives when families are fragmented, emphasizing that raising a child requires two parents and a supportive community.

While surrogacy and IVF can offer hope to infertile couples, Wiltz argued that the lack of clear doctrinal guidance leaves pastors and families navigating murky ethical waters. He stressed that the market‑driven approach reduces a child to a contract, a viewpoint at odds with the belief that every life is a divine gift.

Policy Landscape: Texas Protections and Federal Implications

The Trump administration’s recent efforts to reinforce the 14th Amendment’s recognition of pre‑born life have bolstered state actions like Texas’s six‑week ban. Wiltz highlighted that Texas not only prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected but also maintains advanced medical infrastructure capable of performing neonatal surgeries, including those for complex heart defects.

These policies contrast sharply with states such as California, where surrogacy contracts can include clauses that effectively demand an abortion. The episode underscored how divergent state laws create a patchwork of rights and responsibilities, making the location of birth a decisive factor in a child’s fate.

Faith Perspective on the Commodification of Parenthood

From a faith‑based standpoint, the discussion returned to Scripture. Wiltz reminded listeners that “a man shall leave his father and mother, cleave unto his wife” and that children are a “gift from God” meant to be nurtured, not bought. He argued that the current cultural trend—seeking happiness through money and convenience—directly opposes God’s design for family.

He also noted that pastors are often the first to hear couples’ struggles with infertility, yet they lack explicit biblical commands on modern reproductive technologies. Wiltz urged churches to provide compassionate guidance rooted in the sanctity of life, rather than leaving families to navigate commercial contracts alone.

Ultimately, the conversation on Cure America, hosted by Donald T. Eason, called for a reaffirmation of pro‑life principles both in law and in the hearts of believers, urging society to see every child as a human being worthy of protection and love.

The full episode of Cure America is available on OBBM Network TV.