By Holly Buell
Please Note: The following article was submitted to The Manifesto’s Fall 2011 Blog Contest prior to Proposition 26 being struck down in Mississippi on November 8th, 2011.
This Tuesday, Mississippi citizens will be voting on Proposition 26, also known as the Personhood Amendment. This Amendment gives fertilized eggs the Constitutional rights that every other person receives- specifically: the right to life.
The morning after pill works to stop the implantation of a fetus- not fertilization. Therefore the morning after pill, under Prop 26, would be illegal in Mississippi. Proposition 26 would also limit the options of women looking to get pregnant. In-vitro fertilization involves an attempt to implant one fertilized embryo, consequently killing off the rest. Under Prop 26 this infringes on the rights of fertilized eggs. Proposition 26 would also involve more investigations on women who have had a miscarriage. Women would be investigated to see if they had been involved in purposeful harmful activities. Investigations would include questions such as: Has the mother been excessively drinking? Has she been involved in drug use? Was a potential mother verbalizing a desire to not have a child? Women would be held to a new level of accountability during and after pregnancy.
Many other states are introducing similar legislation. In 2009 North Dakota’s similar bill made it all the way through the House.
It is highly probable that this Amendment will get passed in Mississippi next Tuesday. If the bill passes it will move to the Federal Courts. Regardless of the bill passing or falling short, its ramifications are huge. Americans can be thankful that a state initiative once again illuminates the issue of life in the womb. Proposition 26 is the response of the silent majority—a majority that hopefully will unite America in an attempt to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
