History of Abortion: Current News — French Supreme Court Ruling May Create Controversy Over Abortions, Embryo Research
February 15, 2008 by Kristen King
Filed under Women's Health
This month at Lively Women, we’re talking about the history of abortion in the US and around the world. Discussion is encouraged, and additional information and resources are welcomed. Please leave a comment!
Last week, the French Supreme Court ruled that parents have a legal right to register a name for a miscarried or stillborn fetus regardless of the gestational age at which the fetus is prematurely delivered. Previously, only fetuses born at 22 weeks or later (potentially viable) were permitted to have a name registered.
In other words, the ruling suggests that unborn children at any stage after conception have a right to a name. They’re people. They’re human beings. They’re alive.
The same law also allows maternity leave for the mother and permits the recovery of the body so the parents can hold a funeral. (Prior to the ruling, stillborn or miscarried fetuses were incinerated at the hospital or clinic after delivery.)
Understandably, abortion rights advocates are up in arms over this ruling. What do you think it means for abortion in Europe and around the world?
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Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King
Tags: women’s health, woman, health, abortion, history of abortion, french supreme court, fetus, parental rights, miscarriage, stillbirth
I am a strong pro-choice female. I believe that all should have the right to decide for themselves when and if they want to have a child or have an abortion. I don’t see where giving parents a right to name and bury a child that was miscarried would have any effect on abortion laws. This individuals made a choice to carry a fetus and to give birth to a baby. For what ever reason they lost their child. It doesn’t mean that they will mourn this fetus any less or any more if it had been born. If they choose to have the baby they more and likely have already had dreams of what the child might grow up to be or who it may look it. They may have already put together a nursery for this child. If they want to give it a name and place to lay that they can visit, grieve, and leave flowers then they should have that right. Being pro-choice is all about having the right to make your own choices. If they don’t want to have their fetus incinerated to ashes and disposed of then they should have the right to name it and bury it.