After nearly 60 years, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio has finally removed a disrespectful and disgusting display featuring 30 miscarried babies preserved in jars. According to current students whose parents and grandparents also attended BGSU, the display had been in place since at least the 1970s. It showcased preborn children from all three trimesters, accompanied by descriptions of their health conditions or abnormalities, where applicable. 

One particularly troubling example is baby #26, born at seven months via natural delivery. The description read: “Monstrosity, one of twins, other twin normal. Shows craniorachischisis (absence of brain cavity) and other abnormalities.” Referring to an infant as a “monstrosity” due to a medical condition is deeply offensive. The label should accurately describe their health conditions but doesn’t need to use an insulting term. 

Despite that dehumanizing label, we recognize that the display powerfully illustrates the humanity of children in the womb, especially in a culture that often reduces them to mere “tissue” or “parasites” to justify abortion. Ultimately, however, we believe these children deserve a proper burial and funeral, not to be callously put on display like objects. 

That’s why our Students for Life group at BGSU, Falcons for Life, hosted a memorial service for these children in March 2023. We created a poster that read: 

“In memory of these lives, lost to natural miscarriage… Every life, no matter how fragile or brief… Deserves to be celebrated — BGSU Falcons for Life.” 

Our group members also took the time to name each of the 30 children. We purchased a bouquet of roses, attached name tags with the babies’ names, and brought them to the glass display case on the 5th floor of the Life Sciences building. There, we prayed, sang, and gave short speeches honoring the dignity of human Life while holding the roses. 

After the memorial, we shared the event on Instagram (@bgfalconsforlife) to raise awareness and advocate for a proper burial. Our caption read: 

“While we sincerely hope that BGSU lays these children to rest through a proper burial soon, we do love that this display is labeled ‘human development,’ highlighting that unborn children are in fact human — not mere ‘clumps of cells’ as pro-choicers claim.” 

To our surprise, students are now reporting that BGSU has taken down the display: just two years after our memorial and after at least 50 years of it being on display.  

We hope and pray that the university chose to honor these precious children with dignity, rather than treating them as medical waste. One thing is clear: when the Pro-Life Generation shows up, grounded in truth, peace, and compassion, universities can choose what’s right. 

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