Antiabortion activists in several states are starting campaigns to grant "personhood" to embryos, thus, giving them the same legal protections as all citizens. They are pushing state constitutional amendments that would define the start of life upon conception, this re-definition (Roe V Wade did not touch this, we have granted citizenship to babies once they are born) would effectively outlaw abortions and some birth control methods.
January is the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion. Abortion foes have tried various restrictions --waiting periods,parental notification, bans against late term abortions-- to limit abortions, but not access to birth control which might actually lower the number of abortions performed. There are 1.3 million abortions are performed in the US each year. Abstinence education has lead to epidemic proportions of sexually transmitted diseases.
Redefining when life begins is a way to circumvent waiting for the Supreme Court to reverse Roe v Wade.
Note that Rudy Giuliani has changed position from being pro-choice as Mayor to being anti-abortion as a presidential candidate. He is currently using coded language such as wanting to appoint "strict constructionist judges' to the Supreme Court.
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MAY 9, 2007 article titled: Pope to Catholic pols: Support abortion and you're out of the church
This news article quotes Congressman Hinchey:
Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, who said abortion is a civic and women's rights issue.
"I'm not an advocate of abortion, but I do think this is an issue that has to be decided by a woman and her doctor, and they should not be dictated to by outside forces," he said.
And Hinchey had some tough words of his own for religious leaders and others who say they support the right to life.
"If there is a sincere concern about life, especially the life of children, both government and religion should focus on taking better care of infants and children," Hinchey said, whether it's in war-torn places like Iraq; Africa, where there's a lack of food and water; or even the United States.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS/705090394
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