Opponents Of Colo. Ballot Proposal Warn Against Unintended Consequences For Physicians, Women

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Sexual Health / STDs;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 09 May 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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A coalition of opponents against a Colorado ballot initiative that would define a fertilized embryo as a person and extend to it rights and protections under the state constitution said Tuesday that the amendment could lead to a range of unintended consequences for women and doctors in the state, the AP/Denver Post reports. The group of opponents, called Protect Families, Protect Choices, argues that the amendment could establish a legal basis for the government to investigate a woman and her doctor for a miscarriage, could allow the government to subpoena medical records to investigate methods of birth control and interfere with medical treatments for infertility (Paulson, AP/Denver Post, 5/6).

The proposed November 2008 ballot initiative would amend the state constitution to define "any human being from the moment of fertilization" as a "person" for purposes of the state's constitutional provisions "relating to inalienable rights, equality of justice and due process of law." The group Colorado for Equal Rights, which is advocating for the proposal, must collect at least 76,000 valid signatures to put the measure on the statewide ballot (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/27).

Former state Rep. Gayle Berry (R) said the proposal would open the door to government control over personal choices, the AP/Post reports. "This is not a partisan issue," Berry said during a rally at the state Capitol in Denver, adding, "Both sides of the aisle can agree that if this amendment passes, Coloradans will lose the right to make decisions about their own families."

Colorado for Equal Rights has until May 13 to gather the required number of signatures to put the proposal on the ballot. The group did not return phone calls for comment (AP/Denver Post, 5/6).

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