As to whether the female reproductive system "shuts down" or not during forcible (or as Akin put it, "legitimate") rape is simply not a question that "science" has any evidence for, pro or con. I am not aware that science has ever conducted any studies on this issue.
I understand that Akin is a devout Roman Catholic. Which at least among the orthodox of that community, means he's "all in" for the pre-born's right to life.
Even if Akin is wrong about certain facts of reproductive biology, certainly he is right about that.
But this is the very question that the political Left — and apparently, also the RNC — finds inconvenient to ask during this election year.
Of course, the political Left NEVER wants to ask that question. Indeed, to ask it is forbidden. And they will try to punish the person who DOES raise it, every time. But I call that censorship. And I deplore to see the GOP use such tactics on its own, against its own.
"There are more things on heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy," my dear DallasBiff....
At the end of the day, this dispute strikes me as a tempest in a teapot. It's time to move on — and win a Senate seat for Tea Party conservatism.
JMHO FWIW
“I understand that Akin is a devout Roman Catholic.”
He’s a Presbyterian. He has an M.A. from Covenant Theological Seminary.