New law in Arizona states 'pregnancy begins two weeks before conception'

[Penny Lane 8,159]

A new law was signed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and went into effect on Thursday that has abortion advocates up in arms. The new law, titled Womens Health and Safety Act deems a woman pregnant 2 weeks before conception.

According to Planned Parenthood of Arizona lobbyist Michelle Steinberg, the law will reduce the amount of time a legal abortion can be obtained by women. Steinberg stated that, the law is our nations most extreme piece of anti-abortion legislation.

The bill was sponsored by Arizona State Rep. Kimberly Yee. Yee is also an ardent supporter of drug testing anyone who receives welfare assistance. She is considered by some to be an extremist.

Steinberg explained the law by saying, The law defines pregnancy in a way that bans abortion two weeks before the other seven states who have similar laws. It calculates gestational age starting with the first day of the last menstrual period rather than the date of conception.

The law which went into effect this month also now requires any women who want to have an abortion to have an ultrasound 24 hours before the procedure. The current law will allow abortions to be performed up until the time that the fetus could reasonably survive outside the womb. This is around 22 to 24 weeks.

With the current law, a woman could still legally have an abortion after that time if it was to protect the life or health of the woman. That would no longer be the case with the new law.

Jordan Goldberg is the Center of Reproductive Rights state advocacy counsel. She spoke with the Daily Beast stating that the law disregards womens health in a way Ive never seen before. The women of Arizona cant access medical treatments that other women can.

http://www.examiner.com/article/new-law-arizona-states-pregnancy-begins-two-weeks-before-conception

This might be a new level of crazy.

Edited August 28, 2012 by Evylin

[^_^ 5,021]

Isn't this standard medical practice, to use the start of the last cycle to calculate due date?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

So life begins at the end of a menstrual cycle?

[^_^ 5,021]

So life begins at the end of a menstrual cycle?

Not really, but that is the date they use to determine gestational age and due date.

[Teddy B 17,252]

So life begins at the end of a menstrual cycle?

If the religious right gets their way, life will begin with the first impure thought.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I think I just got pregnant READING about impure thoughts.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I think I just got pregnant READING about impure thoughts.

I swear I was wearing a condom when I typed that.

[^_^ 5,021]

i realize this was unplanned and neither of you are ready (what with being married to different people and all) but abortion is murder.

[JohnR! 5,495]

So life begins at the end of a menstrual cycle?

Soon they'll pass alas that says life begins at 'do you want to get together for dinner and a movie one of these days?'

it must be a result of exposure...

Edited August 28, 2012 by Gegel

[kytwell 179]

This might be a new level of crazy.

On the bright side for men, this was introduced by a female lawmaker and signed by a female governor.

So it can't be used as propaganda that is a man's assault on a woman's uterus. This is woman on woman. Where's the oil or jello?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

On the bright side for men, this was introduced by a female lawmaker and signed by a female governor.

So it can't be used as propaganda that is a man's assault on a woman's uterus. This is woman on woman. Where's the oil or jello?

That's the saddest part.

[^_^ 5,021]

That's the saddest part.

Well, remember that anatomy isn't the most definitive way to gauge gender......

[JohnR! 5,495]

Well, remember that anatomy isn't the most definitive way to gauge gender......

Abortion is the best red herring at times like these. By posturing and grandstanding on matters already ruled by the SCOTUS it gives the politicians in Arizona an excuse not to talk about job creation and actually running the state for which they were elected.

Have you noticed that all these nut jobs provide diversion also in the presidential race? While Romney and Ryan discuss the moot points behind abortion they don't need to talk about jobs and the economy...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think I just got pregnant READING about impure thoughts.

Then you better have a baby to show for it come May. Otherwise you may end up in jail for not carrying the fruit of your impure thoughts to term.

[^_^ 5,021]

Abortion is the best red herring at times like these. By posturing and grandstanding on matters already ruled by the SCOTUS it gives the politicians in Arizona an excuse not to talk about job creation and actually running the state for which they were elected.

Have you noticed that all these nut jobs provide diversion also in the presidential race? While Romney and Ryan discuss the moot points behind abortion they don't need to talk about jobs and the economy...

Some of the conservatives I work with happen to feel these social issues are very important, more so than wordly concerns over wages and jobs.