Groups Protest Colorado 'Personhood' Measure

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Abortion;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 12 Sep 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Opponents of a Colorado ballot measure that would define a fertilized egg as a person in the state constitution plan to protest the amendment Wednesday at the University of Denver, the AP/KRDO.com reports. The group, called the "No On 48 Campaign," includes Planned Parenthood, the Colorado Medical Society and the Anti-Defamation League. Organizers say Wednesday's rally will kick off more intensive campaigning in the two months left before the election (AP/KRDO.com, 9/10).

If approved by state voters, the 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." Opponents of the initiative have said the proposal aims not just to outlaw abortions in Colorado but ultimately to overturn Roe v. Wade by inciting a court case that would bring the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. Supporters of the measure -- including the group Colorado for Equal Rights -- hope a conservative majority would strike down Roe. Critics of the initiative also have said that it would limit medical research involving embryos, invite intrusive government oversight of pregnancies and ban common forms of contraception (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/7).

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