Federalism worsens divisions over abortion in America
If Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion overturning Roe v Wade becomes final, much of America will transform, in an instant, from having one of the world’s most permissive abortion regimes to having one of its most restrictive.
In 1973 Roe granted American women a right to terminate their pregnancies up to the point of fetal viability (currently around 23 weeks), a right few other women in the world can claim. But if the draft opinion holds, America’s states will be empowered to ban abortion in all cases from the moment of fertilisation. Oklahoma has already passed a nearly absolute prohibition on abortion, and 12 other states have “trigger” laws in place that will create similar regimes the second Roe is overturned.… Seguir leyendo »