Legal scholar Mary Ziegler, a renowned expert on reproduction and autonomy, dives into the tumultuous landscape of U.S. reproductive rights post-Roe v. Wade. She discusses the intricate legal battles affecting both abortion access and in vitro fertilization. Ziegler highlights the significant stakes of upcoming elections and the potential implications for individual choices. Meanwhile, critic John Powers offers insight into Michel Houellebecq's provocative new novel, 'Annihilation,' exploring existential dilemmas in modern life.
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insights INSIGHT
Criminalizing Abortion's Ineffectiveness
Criminalizing abortion historically does not stop people from seeking them.
Access is influenced more by socioeconomic factors like family size and affordability.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Two Women's Deaths in Georgia
ProPublica reported on two women's deaths linked to Georgia's six-week abortion ban.
One, Amber Thurman, faced delayed treatment due to doctors' fear of legal repercussions, while Candy Miller avoided care altogether.
insights INSIGHT
Lack of Criminal Prosecutions and Legal Uncertainty
Few criminal prosecutions of abortion providers have occurred post-Roe.
Legal uncertainty fuels fear among doctors and patients, impacting access to care even in emergencies.
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Annihilation is the first volume of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy. The story follows the twelfth expedition into Area X, a coastal region that has been cut off from the rest of the world for decades. The team consists of four women: a biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Their mission is to map the terrain, record observations, and avoid contamination by Area X. As they delve deeper, they encounter strange and unexplainable phenomena, including hybrid vegetation and creatures, and uncover secrets about the previous expeditions and the true nature of Area X. The novel explores themes of control, mystery, and the transformative power of the unknown environment[2][3][5].
Roe
The History of a National Obsession
Mary Ziegler
In 'Roe: The History of a National Obsession', Mary Ziegler delves into the complex history of Roe v. Wade, examining how it has become a symbol of broader societal debates beyond abortion, including judicial activism, racial justice, and religious liberty. The book provides a nuanced analysis of the decision's enduring influence on American politics and culture.
Personhood
The New Civil War Over Reproduction
Mary Ziegler
Mary Ziegler's book chronicles the internal struggles and changing ideas that have shaped the personhood debate over half a century. It explores how the recognition of fetuses as persons under the Fourteenth Amendment could make liberal abortion laws unconstitutional and discusses broader implications for in vitro fertilization, contraception, and women's equality. The book offers insights into the era following the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Watchdogs
Inspectors General and the Battle for Honest and Accountable Government
Glenn Fine
In 'Watchdogs', Glenn Fine provides an insider's perspective on the critical role inspectors general play in maintaining government accountability and honesty. Drawing from his extensive experience in high-profile investigations, Fine highlights the importance of these officials in deterring corruption and improving government operations.
Legal scholar Mary Ziegler talks about the legal battles shaping reproductive rights across the U.S. — including the scope of abortion access and the fate of IVF. And we look ahead at two very different outcomes with the election. "I don't think in the past 50 years we've had an election where the stakes could be as high, simply because Roe v. Wade isn't there as a floor anymore," Ziegler says.
Also, John Powers controversial French writer Michel Houellebecq's new novel, Annihilation.
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