Bloomberg Law The Next Battle Over Abortion
Apr 29, 2025
Mary Ziegler, a UC Davis Law School professor and expert on reproductive rights, dives into her book on fetal personhood, examining its historical roots and constitutional impacts. She discusses how the Dobbs decision has influenced the fight for abortion rights and shaped anti-abortion strategies. David Ring, a trial attorney, shares insights on the complexities of the Karen Read murder retrial, revealing emotional testimonies and the challenges of ensuring a fair judicial process. Together, they navigate this crucial and contentious landscape.
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Fetal Personhood's Historic Goal
- Fetal personhood has been a long-term goal of the anti-abortion movement since the 1960s.
- Originally, it was a strategy to combat abortion law liberalization seen as unconstitutional by this movement.
Definition Gap Unites, Divides
- Lack of a clear fetal personhood definition unified the anti-abortion movement around a long-term goal.
- Now, as courts consider recognizing fetal rights, internal conflicts about its implications are emerging.
State Laws Seed Personhood Movement
- Many states have fetal personhood laws, often focusing on fetal homicide or wrongful death, not direct abortion bans.
- How enforceable and impactful these laws are depends on future state and federal court interpretations.
