Missouri legislature decides for women when life begins as abortionguide

GHN News Editor - While the decision on Roe v Wade gives women the right to choose on the

matter of abortion, states have developed their own laws restricting the
right, following legislative - executive decisions. 


Despite the fact there are diverse opinions on the matter of when life begins, Missouri has made the decision
for its people that life begins at the moment of conception.  They now
require clinics to tell women life begins at the moment of conception
before they can have an abortion in Missouri.


Other states, also in the South, have made their own laws that would be
put into practice if Roe v Wade is ever overturned by the courts.


For example, in Louisiana,
its legislature passed a law under Kathleen Blanco's administration
that criminalizes abortion.  It rules out exceptions for pregnancies
resulting from rape or incest.  Furthermore, there are no exceptions for
the endangerment of the mother's health.  In additionthe lawspecifically defines life beginning at the moment of conception.


At the time the law was passed, statistics were cited that "one in eight
Louisiana women over age 18 will be the victim of a forcible rape
during her adult lifetime."


Children born of incestuous relationships between primary relatives,
that is between father and daughter or siblings, have a high percentage
chance of mental or physical disabilities leading to death.  While
children born of incest can be normal, the potential for having physical
or mental defect is more than 50% according to research.


States continue to implement their own laws while the issue of abortion
at the national level continues to be upheld by Supreme Court decisions
to date.