What Next | Daily News and Analysis Legally Dead—And Pregnant
7 snips
May 29, 2025 
Imani Gandy, Editor-at-Large for Rewire News Group, and Mary Ziegler, law professor and author, dive into the heartbreaking case of Adriana Smith, who was declared brain dead while pregnant. They discuss the complex legal and ethical dilemmas her family faces, highlighting the tension between fetal rights and bodily autonomy. The conversation touches on reproductive rights, systemic biases in healthcare, and the troubling implications of current laws, all while emphasizing the need for dignity and equitable treatment in medical scenarios.
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Adriana Smith's Tragic Case
- Adriana Smith was a 30-year-old Black nurse declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant.
- She has been kept on life support solely to sustain the pregnancy despite brain death.
Georgia's Legal Complexity on Personhood
- Georgia law confers personhood on fertilized embryos, complicating medical decisions.
- Hospitals may keep brain dead pregnant women on support to avoid legal risks, not always from legal obligation.
Headlight Glare Problem Ignored
- Headlight brightness causes major glare issues affecting many drivers' safety and comfort.
- Regulatory bodies neglect glare impact, focusing instead on driver visibility and safety ratings.
