The Activists Working to Abolish IVF
Digest
This episode of The Sunday Story delves into the abortion abolitionist movement, a group advocating for the complete criminalization of abortion with no exceptions. The episode explores the movement's core beliefs, which equate abortion to homicide and advocate for criminal charges and penalties, including the death penalty. It contrasts the abolitionists' strategies with those of mainstream anti-abortion groups, highlighting their willingness to push for extreme policies, such as banning IVF and criminalizing patients who have abortions. The episode examines the movement's growing influence, particularly in Southern and Midwestern states, where they are actively seeking to elect sympathetic lawmakers and introduce legislation that reflects their beliefs. The episode also explores the impact of the movement on patients, particularly those seeking IVF treatment, who are often confronted by abolitionists protesting outside clinics. The episode concludes with a discussion about the future of the movement, acknowledging its potential influence despite its limited legislative success so far.
Outlines
The Rise of Abortion Abolitionism
This episode introduces the abortion abolitionist movement, a group advocating for the complete criminalization of abortion with no exceptions. The episode explores their core beliefs, which equate abortion to homicide and advocate for criminal charges and penalties, including the death penalty.
Strategies and Impact
The episode contrasts the abolitionists' strategies with those of mainstream anti-abortion groups, highlighting their willingness to push for extreme policies, such as banning IVF and criminalizing patients who have abortions. It also examines the movement's growing influence, particularly in Southern and Midwestern states, where they are actively seeking to elect sympathetic lawmakers and introduce legislation that reflects their beliefs.
Confronting Patients and the Future
The episode explores the impact of the movement on patients, particularly those seeking IVF treatment, who are often confronted by abolitionists protesting outside clinics. The episode concludes with a discussion about the future of the movement, acknowledging its potential influence despite its limited legislative success so far.
Keywords
Abortion Abolitionism
A movement advocating for the complete criminalization of abortion with no exceptions, treating it as homicide, and seeking to punish both patients and providers.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
A fertility treatment involving the fertilization of an egg outside the body, often resulting in leftover embryos that are frozen or discarded, a practice opposed by abortion abolitionists.
Ectopic Pregnancy
A pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often in the fallopian tube, a condition that can be life-threatening and requires medical intervention, which abortion abolitionists oppose.
Personhood
The legal and philosophical concept of when a human being acquires the rights and protections afforded to a person, with abortion abolitionists arguing that personhood begins at conception.
Homicide
The unlawful killing of another human being, with abortion abolitionists equating abortion to homicide and advocating for criminal charges and penalties, including the death penalty.
Anti-Slavery Movement
A historical movement advocating for the abolition of slavery, which abortion abolitionists draw parallels to, arguing that their movement is similarly fighting for the rights of the unborn.
Q&A
What are the core beliefs of abortion abolitionists?
Abortion abolitionists believe that abortion should be completely banned with no exceptions, including for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. They consider abortion equivalent to homicide and advocate for criminal charges and penalties, including the death penalty.
How do abortion abolitionists differ from mainstream anti-abortion groups?
While both groups oppose abortion, abolitionists are less concerned with incremental progress and more willing to push for extreme policies, such as banning IVF and criminalizing patients who have abortions.
What is the impact of the abortion abolitionist movement on legislation?
While they haven't achieved significant legislative success yet, abortion abolitionists have been active in Southern and Midwestern states, introducing legislation and seeking to elect sympathetic lawmakers. Their efforts are forcing a conversation about the application of their beliefs to public policy.
What is the future of the abortion abolitionist movement?
Despite their limited success so far, the abortion abolitionist movement has the potential to influence legislation, particularly in states with large Republican majorities. Their uncompromising stance and willingness to push for extreme policies could have a significant impact on reproductive rights in the future.
Show Notes
On this episode of The Sunday Story from Up First, NPR's Sarah McCammon takes us to a protest outside an IVF clinic and talks to activists who call themselves "abortion abolitionists." These activists say their goal is to turn their beliefs into policy and are heartened by the progress they've made.
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