Republic representative Eileen Kowall recently introduced legislation in the Michigan House that would ban abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Supporters of the bill said a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks of pregnancy, while opponents deny this is true, reported Michiganradio.org. Exceptions allowing later abortions would be given to women whose lives were at risk.
According to the National Abortion Federation, about half of unplanned pregnancies, or 1.3 million, are ended by abortion each year. Less than two percent of abortions are provided at 21 weeks or later, and after 26 weeks of pregnancy, abortions are highly rare.
The earliest a female can terminate her pregnancy, as reported by Family Planning Associates Medical Group, is “as early as the EPT pregnant test shows positive results or at approximately five to six weeks.”
The National Abortion Federation said earlier abortions are safer because they’re less complicated, however, certain circumstances might require women to get a later abortion. Medical complications in the mother and severe fetal abnormalities are some conditions that might call for a later abortion.
The passage of this legislation wouldn’t ban abortions, but would limit women’s choices regarding abortion, which is a concern to those who are pro-choice.
“I believe that a woman, no matter her circumstances, race, history, religion, creed, sexual orientation, past, experience, etc., should never be told what to do with her body,” said Jess Klein, Program Coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center.
“I believe that feeling any other way would make me an irresponsible leader, ally and advocate of women on this campus.”
In 2010, Nebraska became the first state to ban abortions past 20 weeks of pregnancy. The law was passed on the same idea backing up the Michigan legislation — that fetuses begin to feel pain around 20 weeks.
According to Discovery News, several scientists have estimated pain becomes possible anywhere from 18 to 29 weeks into pregnancy.
Some scientists disagree and believe fetuses cannot feel pain until later. According to Discovery News, Mark Rosen, director of anesthesia at the University of California, “suggested fetuses aren’t capable of feeling pain until at least 29 weeks into pregnancy.”
Many people consider abortion to be more of a moral issue than a scientific issue. This leads to questions of whether it’s appropriate for abortion to be a political issue, just because it raises moral controversy.
“I do not agree with abortion, especially at that stage where the fetus looks like a curled up human with defined fingers and forming bones. However, in no way should my opinions inhibit someone else’s right in matters that are classified as a controversially moral issue,” said EMU student, Kaitlin Daida.
Abortion is an issue that has strong support from both the pro-choice and pro-life sides. Those who are pro-life will fight for the passage of this legislation, and a victory in one of the many battles in their war against abortion.
EMU student Jessica Heatherman, is just one of the many who are pro-choice and who supports defending what she believes is a woman’s right to decisions about her own body.
“I don’t think the government should interfere with personal decisions like abortion,”
Heatherman said. “If it’s not the right time in their life, it’s not the right time.”
