Reproductive Laws For The 1990s

The Project on Reproductive Laws for the 1990s began in 1985 with the realization that reports of scientific developments and new technologies were stimulating debates and discussions among bioethicists and policymakers, and that women had little part in those discussions either as participants or as a group with interests to be considered. With the help of a planning grant from the Rutgers University Institute for Research on Women, the Women's Rights Litigation Clinic at Rutgers University Law School-Newark held a planning meeting that June attended by approximately 20 theorists and activists in the area of reproductive rights. Project purposes, methods, and general shape took form at the meeting. Two goals have characterized the Project's work since then: first, to generate discussion, debate, and, where possible, consensus among those committed to reproductive autonomy and gender equality as to how best to respond to the questions raised by re ported advances in reproductive and neonatal technology and new modes of reproduction; and second, to ensure that those shaping reproductive law and policy appreciate the ramifications of these developments for gender equality. In meeting this twofold agenda, the Project focused on six areas: time limits on abortion; prenatal screening; fetus as patient; reproductive hazards in the workplace; interference with reproductive choice; and alternative modes of reproduction. The Project identified individuals to take respon sibility for drafting model legislation and position papers in the six areas (for the drafters, see the Appendix).

"Abortion Without Apology is based on audiotaped, videotaped, and filmed interviews produced for the 'Abortion Rap' workshops and for the film documentary 'With a Vengeance', and on letters solicited for this pamphlet. If not otherwise indicated, all quotes are drawn from the following sources: Byllye Avery, 'In Defense of Roe' conference, videotaped April 8, 1989; Lucinda Cisler, interview videotaped February 16, 1988; Lana Clarke Phelan, interview videotaped November 6, 1987; Constance Cook, interview audiotaped February 3, 1987; Carol Downer, interview videotaped November 4, 1987; Rowena Gurner, interview audiotaped November 5, 1987, and letters dated December 13, 1989, and December 15, 1989; Brenda Joyner, interview filmed April 8, 1989; "Jane", interveiew filmed November 13, 1988; Patricia Maginnis, interview videotaped November 5, 1987, and letter dated December 28, 1989; Sojourner McCauley, interview filmed June 29, 1989; Irene Peslikis, interview audiotaped December 17, 1987, and interview videotaped July 14, 1988; Lorraine Rothman, interview videotaped November 4, 1987."--From Acknowledgements

Reproductive choices are at once the most private and intimate decisions we make in our lives and undeniably also among the most public. Reproductive decision making takes place in a web of overlapping concerns - political and ideological, socio-economic, health and health care - all of which engage the public and involve strongly held opinions and attitudes about appropriate conduct on the part of individuals and the state. Law, Policy and Reproductive Autonomy examines the idea of reproductive autonomy, noting that in attempting to look closely at the contours of the concept, we begin to see some uncertainty about its meaning and legal implications - about how to understand reproductive autonomy and how to value it. Both mainstream and feminist literature about autonomy contribute valuable insights into the meaning and implications of reproductive autonomy. The developing feminist literature on relational autonomy provides a useful starting point for a contextualised conception of reproductive autonomy that creates the opportunity for meaningful exercise of reproductive choice. With a contextualised approach to reproductive autonomy as a backdrop, the book traces aspects of the regulation of reproduction in Canadian, English, US and Australian law and policy, arguing that not all reproductive decisions necessarily demand the same level of deference in law and policy, and making recommendations for reform.

This anthology argues for an expansion of the single-issue abortion-rights movement into a multi-cultural feminist movement in the United States.

By all indicators, the reproductive health of Americans has been deteriorating since 1980. Our nation is troubled by rates of teen pregnancies and newborn deaths that are worse than almost all others in the Western world. Science and Babies is a straightforward presentation of the major reproductive issues we face that suggests answers for the public. The book discusses how the clash of opinions on sex and family planning prevents us from making a national commitment to reproductive health; why people in the United States have fewer contraceptive choices than those in many other countries; what we need to do to improve social and medical services for teens and people living in poverty; how couples should "shop" for a fertility service and make consumer-wise decisions; and what we can expect in the futureâ€"featuring interesting accounts of potential scientific advances.