Because in many quarters the human individual has been successfully removed from being considered as one worth sacred dignity. Sorta like they can't get at God directly so they go for those who have His image and likeness, the ones least able to defend themselves. The innocent become prey to the state who affords itself the role of final arbitrator of who is deserving of life or death. To them a human person is just a commodity. Therefore, it can easily be tossed in the trash.
Thus away goes the only reed to which even the godless liberal can cling. He will find the juggernaut he constructed will crush him ruthlessly.