Every election season brings out one of the biggest debates in American politics. One state in particular, however, has decided to take the gloves off and go for a TKO when it comes to laws aimed at abortion and personhood.
North Dakota recently passed a handful of laws, which were signed into law, representing the strictest abortion laws in the nation. As part of this process, the state legislature is sending the decision to the people to amend the state constitution to define “personhood” as occurring at the moment of conception.
The newly signed legislation also prohibits abortion once a heartbeat can be detected by ultrasound, which can occur as early as 6 weeks.
Another law does not allow an abortion “on the basis of gender or genetic abnormalities.” It’s hard to argue against a law banning abortions because the parents wanted a boy and, alas, are expecting a girl.
Many parents of children with Down syndrome applaud the law as they see their children as a gift. While that’s quite laudable, I have a hard time forcing a parent to bring a challenged child into a world where they may not be able to afford to provide the child with ample medical attention, therapies, and where they may see having to be the primary caregiver for their child well into their own geriatric years as something they can’t face.
Would it not be better to allow that parent to end an unwanted pregnancy? Who am I to force someone else into any type of parenting situation?
Personhood offers other dangers that perhaps people haven’t thought through all the way, and apparently the laws did not address them either.
Some women can’t confirm or don’t realize they’re pregnant until 8 weeks after conception. What happens to the woman who continued to smoke until she discovered she’s with child? If she miscarriages, she could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Do we start making women of child-bearing age pass a pregnancy test before they order a glass of wine at a restaurant?
What about my friend who didn’t realize she was pregnant, went skiing, and had an accident that was later identified as the probable cause of her subsequent miscarriage?
While it may sound like a ridiculous scenario, the laws did not account for these situations which gives an overzealous prosecutor ample space to prosecute.
The laws also do not allow for cases of rape or incest. One analysis I’ve read so far indicates the North Dakota laws don’t even allow for an abortion when the mother’s life is in danger.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fan of abortion as a method of birth control. Responsible sex is always the better way to go. But I’m also not a fan of a nanny state fueled by religious dogma making decisions for people, especially decisions that have lifelong effects.
When immersed in their religious fervor, people need to remember that when you give up one liberty, it just becomes easier for someone else to take others away. I can’t support killing babies, but I also can’t support this type of personhood declaration.
America is not a theocracy.
Let’s remember that.
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