Bloomberg Law The Next Battle Over Abortion
Apr 29, 2025
Mary Ziegler, a UC Davis Law School professor and expert on reproductive rights, dives into her book on fetal personhood, examining its historical roots and constitutional impacts. She discusses how the Dobbs decision has influenced the fight for abortion rights and shaped anti-abortion strategies. David Ring, a trial attorney, shares insights on the complexities of the Karen Read murder retrial, revealing emotional testimonies and the challenges of ensuring a fair judicial process. Together, they navigate this crucial and contentious landscape.
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Personhood Linked to Criminalization
- In the U.S., fetal personhood is linked to criminalizing abortion, unlike some other countries.
- Some Americans believe fetuses have rights but abortion shouldn’t be criminalized, showing potential for different approaches.
Personhood Threatens IVF and Contraceptives
- Fetal personhood could drastically change IVF by restricting embryo creation and preservation.
- Some proponents argue common contraceptives act as abortifacients, threatening contraception access.
Abortion Demand Drives Numbers
- Abortion rates depend more on demand factors like economic conditions than just legal access.
- States have not effectively reduced abortion demand since Dobbs, often relying on private religious support.
