If you are approached to sign the petition to get the personhood amendment on the ballot this fall, I ask you to think twice before signing.
The anti-abortion movement would like you to believe that by having an embryo considered a person and giving that embryo the same rights as you and me, will in essence outlaw abortion. However, this ballot initiative does much more than this. It could prevent a couple, such as my Hubby and I, from being able to have children using in vitro fertilization.
You see, contrary to what the media would lead you to believe, embryos aren't "implanted" in a woman's uterus where they will always successfully grow into a baby that will be delivered full term. Sometimes these embryos, which are actually transferred to the uterus from the dish where they were lovingly grown by the embryologist, just languish in a woman's uterus, not getting the chance to implant before the woman's period starts. Sometimes a fibroid may prevent the embryos from implanting, sometimes it could be that the embryos don't have normal chromosomes. Sometimes the embryos just die before getting a chance to implant.
But if you sign this personhood ballot initiate, and it passes in the November election, you basically have said that the woman, whose uterus the embryos died in, could be held liable for the death of the "person."
Another scenario is what if after the two week wait the woman takes her pregnancy test and it shows positive! The excitement though quickly dims when the searing pain in the abdomen indicates something is amiss. After a thorough exam from her OB/GYN or Reproductive Endocrinologist, it is determined that the embryo has taken hold in the fallopian tube and is now threatening the life of the mother. If the doctor and mom take actions to save her life, which in essence will kill the embryo, will the doctor or mom be charged with murder?
This ballot initiative is so full of unintended consequences. And the bad part about it is that it is being presented in such a way that many don't even realise what it is that they are signing. Or what would happen if it passes.
If you have a problem with abortions, go after Roe v. Wade. Don't you dare trample on the reproductive rights of those of us who are trying so desperately to have children. Because that is what you would be doing.
In fact, ask yourself if I, Miss Tori, had any say so in whether you had children or not. The answer would be no. So why should you have a say so in whether I have children or not. Please do not sign this ballot initiative to define an embryo as a person. Because by doing so, you've just stepped into the bedroom with my husband and I. And personally, I'd prefer you stay out of our sex lives and reproductive options.
