D論の発表まであとわずかなので発表準備を進めていたら、論文では扱わなかったこんな情報が出てきた。暇になったら読みたいので、忘れないうちにメモしておこう。
HHS Attempts to Define Contraception as Abortion, Fertilized Egg as Human Being
Posted by Rachel on July 18, 2008
I’ve been dealing with some sick kitty issues this week, so haven’t had time to properly address a proposed rule for the Department of Health and Human Services that addresses “conscience” clauses which allow healthcare providers to refuse services and information based on their personal religious or moral beliefs. Here’s the “quick” overview, with links to additional explanatory posts on the topic at the end.
The proposed rule explains how recipients of HHS funds already cannot discriminate (such as in hiring practices) against employees “who participate in health service programs or research activities funded in whole or part by the Department who refuse to perform certain medical services, including sterilization, abortion, or research activities.”
What’s new in the proposed rule is that it essentially says, because some people think that “life” begins when sperm and egg meet, and so consider contraception to be abortion, even though the medical & scientific community does not support or agree with that view, we’re going to accept what people “believe” as a medical definition. It would allow contraception to be defined as abortion for these purposes. It says:
Abortion: An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. There are two commonly held views on the question of when a pregnancy begins. Some consider a pregnancy to begin at conception (that is, the fertilization of the egg by the sperm), while others consider it to begin with implantation (when the embryo implants in the lining of the uterus).17 A 2001 Zogby International American Values poll revealed that 49% of Americans believe that human life begins at conception. Presumably many who hold this belief think that any action that destroys human life after conception is the termination of a pregnancy, and so would be included in their definition of the term “abortion.” Those who believe pregnancy begins at implantation believe the term “abortion” only includes the destruction of a human being after it has implanted in the lining of the uterus.
Archive for Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Initiatives to curb abortions defeatedSouth Dakota’s Measure 11, aimed at triggering a Supreme Court showdown on Roe vs. Wade, is losing soundly. Bans on gay marriage appear headed for passage and most incumbent governors are winning reelection.
By Nicholas Riccardi
November 05, 2008 in print edition A-18All eyes were on Barack Obama’s historic win in Tuesday’s presidential election , but a number of significant ballot initiatives and gubernatorial races took dramatic turns as well.
A pair of ballot initiatives that would have curtailed abortion were soundly defeated, while bans on gay marriage won or were headed for passage. And voters in 11 states chose governors – with most incumbents winning reelection.
The most prominent initiative was a measure put on the ballot in South Dakota to outlaw most abortions in hope of triggering a Supreme Court showdown over the landmark 1973 case Roe vs. Wade. Measure 11 lost by a lopsided margin.
It was a revised version of a high-profile proposed abortion ban – even in cases of rape and incest – that South Dakota voters had rejected by a 10-point margin in 2006. Proponents hoped that they could secure passage this year by providing exceptions for rape and incest.
But opponents argued the exceptions were still too narrow – abortions were only permissible if the woman identified her assailant and proved paternity through DNA testing, or if a doctor found the mother faced possible organ failure if the pregnancy came to term.
“South Dakotans have affirmed by their votes tonight that no vague law can account for every individual circumstance. And that is precisely why women and families, not the government, should make these personal healthcare decisions,” said Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.
Proponents vowed to try again to outlaw abortion in the 2010 election. “We’re coming back,” said Leslee Unruh, an anti-abortion activist and prime proponent of the ban. “We’re not going away… . Third time’s the charm.”
Another hot-button abortion initiative, Measure 48 in Colorado, was roundly defeated Tuesday night. The initiative would have defined a fertilized egg as a legal human being, which opponents and some proponents said could ban abortion and other activities such as in vitro fertilization and certain forms of birth control.
Colo. Petition Revives Anti-Abortion Bid
By P. SOLOMON BANDA
The Associated Press
Tuesday, December 11, 2007; 6:50 AMDENVER -- A 20-year-old law student has become a cause celebre in the anti-abortion movement for her efforts to have the state Constitution define fertilized eggs as people _ a tactic spreading nationwide in bids to neutralize the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
The measure spearheaded by Kristi Burton would give fertilized eggs state protections of inalienable rights, justice and due process, and she needs 76,000 signatures to get it on the state ballot next November.
Should Fertilized Eggs Have Rights?
By Rita Healy/Denver Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007f Colorado for Equal Rights for Human Life and other anti-abortion groups can wrangle 76,000 signatures in the next six months, theirs could be the first state in the nation to vote on whether a fertilized egg should legally be considered a person. Despite resistance from abortion-rights groups, the Colorado Supreme Court on November 13 approved the ballot measure ― 40 years after Colorado became the first state to relax abortion laws ― giving a boost to a conservative political movement that has worked doggedly for decades to overturn Roe v. Wade. Colorado Right to Life spokesman Bob Enyart says, "Embryos are living human beings with eternal souls and spirits. You just have to refrain from killing one to see what a precious child it is."
続きはTime.comへ
最後のTimeの記事では、受精卵（胚盤胞）の写真を見ることができます。
