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“Life Begins At Conception,” Indiana Law Would Inform Women Seeking Abortion

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, February 13, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Under a new law proposed in the state of Indiana, women seeking an abortion would hear from their doctors that human life begins at conception, They would also hear that their baby might be able to feel pain.

The law would go farther than almost any other legislation in the country in requiring that women be fully informed about the act of abortion. Only South Dakota has brought in a similar law, which has been blocked by court proceedings.

Current law in Indiana requires doctors to tell women about the age of their baby and its potential viability, and to offer to show an ultrasound of the child. They must also provide information on risks and alternatives to abortion.

Dorothy Timbs, of the National Right to Life Committee, told the Associated Press that many women seeking an abortion are told the fetus is nothing more than "a blob of tissue." She says women need to understand the consequences of an abortion on both the fetus and themselves.

"This is a decision that profoundly affects both forever and is irreversible," she said. "Women deserve this information. The more they have, the better off they are."

29 states have “informed consent” laws in place that ensure women seeking an abortion receive information about the procedure beforehand. In most states the information is limited to resources available for them if they decide to carry the child to term. Three states, Arkansas, Nevada and Wisconsin, offer information about the potential psychological damage to the woman caused by abortion.

In Arkansas, Georgia and Minnesota, women must be told that their baby may be able to feel pain, but only for abortions sought at 20 weeks gestation or later. Indiana’s legislation would require that information be given to women for an abortion sought at any period.

Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota challenged South Dakota's law, saying it infringed on doctors' First Amendment rights. No trial date has been set, but U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier of Rapid City granted a preliminary injunction last year blocking enforcement of the law, saying the plaintiffs have a good chance of winning.

 Jack M. Balkin, Yale Law School professor, told the AP Indiana's proposal could withstand free-speech challenges if doctors tell women the information is required by the state and might not necessarily reflect their own views.

"If a doctor can put it in those terms, then he's acting as a conduit from the state to the woman," he said.
 
The proposed changes cleared the Republican-controlled House on a 70-30 vote the first of February. A Senate committee will consider the bill this month. 

See related LifeSiteNews article:

Abortion Activists in U.S. Say They Are Losing the Battle
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jan/06013008.html

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