Reproductive Rights Prof Blog

UK Gov't Survey Shows High Pregnancy Rate Among Sexually Active Teens

Daily Mail (UK): One in five girls 'pregnant by the age of 18', by Laura Clark:

One in five sexually-active teenage girls has been pregnant by the age of 18, shocking figures have revealed.

The first survey of its kind found that 83 per cent of girls have lost their virginity by this age and 18 per cent of these youngsters have been pregnant at least once.

About half chose to keep their babies and more than a third had an abortion, according to the Government survey. . . .

Moderate Caffeine Intake Safe in Pregnancy, Experts Say

WebMD: Moderate Coffee Drinking OK in Pregnancy, by Denise Mann:

New Guidelines Say Moderate Amounts of Caffeine Won't Increase Miscarriage Risk

Many pregnant women cut out caffeine the minute they find out they are expecting because of fears that their daily coffee may increase their risk for miscarriage or preterm birth.

But a new position statement issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) should put some of their fears to rest. The group states that moderate caffeine intake -- less than 200 milligrams a day -- won't increase their risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.

The same cannot be said for higher amounts of caffeine, the group states in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. . . .

Dead Animals in Boxes Left Outside Chicago Abortion Clinics

Huffington Post: Dead Animals Left At Local Planned Parenthood Clinic With Anti-Abortion Message For Doctors:

Police investigating a suspicious package outside of an Old Town Planned Parenthood clinic Thursday morning discovered a dead opossum in a box--likely left by anti-choice activists.

About 8:15 a.m. Thursday, a package containing the dead animal was found at the 1200 N. LaSalle St. Planned Parenthood clinic, the Chicago Tribune reports. A message scrawled on the package read: "For all the doctors for all you do for women." . . .

Thursday's incident was the second time someone left a dead animal at a women's clinic in the area this month . . . .

Mark Egerman on Inmates' Right to Elective Abortions Under the Eighth Amendment

Mark Egerman (fellow, Georgetown University Law Center, and staff counsel, National Abortion Federation) has posted Roe v. Crawford: Do Inmates Have an Eighth Amendment Right to Elective Abortions?, on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

This note examines the legal questions surrounding incarcerated women who wish to receive an abortion. The note examines the 8th Circuit's ruling in Roe v. Crawford and explores the two legal arguments presented in that case. While the court ultimately found the Fourteenth Amendment argument valid and rejected the Eighth Amendment, the author argues that grounding inmate abortion rights in the Eighth Amendment is ultimately a more sustainable solution for reproductive justice advocates. The core of an Eighth Amendment case is presented with corresponding medical evidence that argues that not only should inmates have access to abortions, but that they should be funded the same as any other serious medical need under the Eighth Amendment.

Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood Save Lives

Time Magazine: How Saving Umbilical Cords Saves Lives, by Bonnie Rochman:

As their due date creeps closer, many pregnant women pack a go bag for the hospital: toothbrush, iPod, cute bringing-baby-home outfit. But in recent months, savvy mothers-to-be have started tucking in one more important item: a kit to collect and donate the blood in their babies' umbilical cord.

Cord blood is a noncontroversial source of stem cells, yet experts estimate that 99% of this potentially lifesaving resource gets thrown away postpartum. Unlike the stem cells in human embryos, which can morph into any kind of cell in the body, the stem cells in cord blood have their futures largely mapped out, as blood, brain, liver or heart-muscle cells, for example. But researchers have shown that cord-blood cells can be reprogrammed, and over the next decade, doctors hope to adapt these cells to treat heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and maybe neurodegenerative diseases too. . . .

Columnist Argues Mortgage Companies Should Discriminate, Even Against Those on Parental Leave, to Limit Risk

The Atlantic: Mortgage Companies Should Discriminate, by Daniel Indiviglio:

Lately, there have been several news stories chastising mortgage companies for taking new measures to discriminate among borrowers. Fannie Mae was the target of a few of these criticisms, for doing things like forbidding to back new loans from a strategic defaulters for seven years and from homeowners that have second liens from solar panel loans. In the New York Times Tuesday, there was another article meant to spark outrage among readers: some mortgage companies are making it more difficult for pregnant women to get mortgages. Instead of dismay, however, my reaction was relief.

All measures underwriters use to discriminate among applicants aim at the same end -- to limit the risk for providing a loan. So let's take Times example to consider whether or not it's a fair practice, since it might appear particularly egregious. The news probably evoked rage among many readers because society reveres pregnant women -- as it should. But although their decision to have a child is a wonderful thing, their state must be considered in a risk context by a loan underwriter. . . . 

Poll Shows Californians Support Abortion Rights

The Orange County Register: Poll: Californians back abortion rights, by Dena Bunis:

Seven in 10 Californians  continue to support the right of women to get a legal abortion and endorse the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which said women have a constitutional right to an abortion, according to a new Field Poll released Wednesday.

These findings cut across all population segments and political ideology and have remained constant for more than 20 years of Field’s polling on the issue.

Among Democrats, 80 percent favor either making no change to abortion rights in the state or making it easier for women to obtain a legal abortion. Support drops among Republican respondents but is still a majority at 54 percent. Seventy-five percent of those not affiliated with either party support such rights. . . .

Center for Reproductive Rights - Columbia Law School Fellowship - Nov. 1 Deadline

The CRR-CLS Fellowship is a two-year, post-graduate fellowship offered by the Center for Reproductive Rights (“the Center”) and Columbia Law School (“the Law School”). The Fellowship is designed to prepare recent law school graduates for legal academic careers in reproductive health and human rights. Fellows will be affiliated with the Center and the Law School and will participate in the intellectual life of both programs. Applicants do not need to be graduates of Columbia Law School to be eligible for this program and do not need prior experience in reproductive rights.

 

We are excited to begin the process of selecting a Fellow to join us in 2011-2013. Our prior Fellow, Khiara Bridges, is joining the Boston University Law School faculty in a tenure-track position.

 

The deadline for applications for this cycle is November 1, 2010.

 

Attached is a description of the Fellowship and an application form in one document. If you would like to learn more about the Center’s Law School Initiative, which supports the Fellowship, please visit our website here or get in touch with me via email at dhortsch@reproductiverights.org.

Oklahoma Judge Issues Temporary Injunction Blocking State's Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Law

The Oklahoman: Oklahoma's abortion law stays blocked for now, by Nolan Clay:

An Oklahoma County judge today issued a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the state's tough new abortion law.

A tough new abortion law remains on hold.

An Oklahoma County judge Monday extended a temporary ban on enforcing the state law. District Judge Noma Gurich set the next hearing for Jan. 21.

The 2010 law requires a doctor or technician to perform an ultrasound at least an hour before a scheduled abortion so the pregnant woman can see the images of the fetus. The doctor or technician must describe the ultrasound images to the woman, even if she objects. A patient can avert her eyes. . . . 

Gaia Bernstein on Reproductive Technologies and Donor Anonymity

Gaia Bernstein (Seton Hall University School of Law) has posted Regulating Reproductive Technologies: Timing, Uncertainty and Donor Anonymity on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

Two global trends have emerged in the regulation of Artificial Reproductive Technology (“ART”): the adoption of a comprehensive regime to regulate the practice of ART and the prohibition on gamete donor anonymity. This Essay uses the publication of Naomi Cahn’s book, Test Tube Families, which advocates both the adoption of a comprehensive regime and the anonymity prohibition, as a lens through which to assess the suitability of these regulatory trends to the United States.

First, this Essay develops two dimensions of law and technology theory – timing and uncertainty – to evaluate the effectiveness of adopting a comprehensive regulatory regime. This Essay argues that although belated regulation of a new technology may incur enforcement hurdles due to the entrenchment of social norms, these hurdles are alleviated when, as in the case of ART, the technology is administered by intermediaries.

This Essay then distinguishes between two ultimate goals of reducing uncertainty surrounding the use of new technologies: alleviating fears that inhibit the adoption of a new technology and protecting individuals already using a widely adopted technology from unexpected legal circumstances. It argues that the adoption of a comprehensive regulatory regime for ART will relieve the latter type of uncertainty.

Secondly, the Essay examines the effects of the prohibition on gamete donor anonymity on the availability of donor gametes and the consequent social adoption of ART technology that is dependent on donor gametes. The Essay analyzes the data from three representative jurisdictions that prohibit anonymity: Sweden, Victoria (Australia), and the United Kingdom. It reveals that these jurisdictions suffer from significant shortages in donor gametes and underscores that efforts to combat these shortages resulted in eroding commitments to equality and the prevention of commodification. The Essay, therefore, cautions against the adoption of a prohibition on donor gamete anonymity in the United States.

Teen-Friendly Retail Chain's New Maternity Line Stirs Controversy

Broadsheet (Salon.com): Is Forever 21 glamorizing teen pregnancy?, by Sara Libby:   

The youth-friendly chain stirs up controversy by launching a maternity line 

I recently marveled at the sheer ginormousness of the Forever 21 store that opened in downtown Washington D.C. this weekend. Occupying a former multi-level furniture store space, it is a far cry from the tiny mall outposts that used to comprise the chain. But, thanks to Forever 21's ability to feed teens' insatiable appetite for "fast fashion" -- pieces that replicate the most up-to-the-minute trends at prices (and quality) so low that they’re usually worn only a few times and discarded -- the chain has snowballed into a $2 billion brand that legitimately competes with behemoths like H&M.

Despite all of that success, Forever 21 is still looking to appeal to even more girls. Having already reached out to plus-sized customers with the launch of its Faith 21 line last year, the chain has unveiled a new effort aimed at the temporarily plus-sized, i.e., expectant mothers. Given that the store as a whole targets tweens and teens, dedicating a portion of the store to maternity clothes is understandably causing a stir. On top of that, there is the fact that the maternity line is premiering in five states, three of which carry the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country. . . .

"Family Guy" Abortion Episode Banned by Fox Will Be Released on DVD

Broadsheet (Salon.com): American TV: Still not ready for an abortion, by Mary Elizabeth Williams:

Emotionally loaded, bitterly divisive issue, meet taboo-busting, equal-opportunity-offending comedy show. What took you so long?

When "Family Guy" creators announced a year ago they were ready to take on abortion, its network, Fox, gave creator Seth MacFarlane and his writers its blessing. When they got a load of the "Partial Terms of Endearment" episode, however, they backed off on airing it. But behind every creative controversy, there's a golden branding opportunity, and Fox's somewhat less conflicted home video arm is releasing the reproductive-choice-themed episode as a stand-alone DVD in September, under the gotta-have-it "BANNED FROM TV!" banner. Monetizing the controversy with a clever "too-hot for television" promotion? Seems just a little like having an abortion and getting your baby too. . . .

ACOG Issues New Guidelines Seeking to Lower C-Section Rate

NY Times: New Guidelines Seek to Cut Rate of Repeat C-Sections, by Denise Grady:

Most women who have had Caesarean sections can safely give birth the normal way later, studies have shown, but in recent years more and more hospitals, doctors and insurers have been refusing to let them even try, insisting on repeat Caesareans instead.

The decisions have been based largely on fears of medical risks and lawsuits, medical and legal experts say.

. . . Now, an obstetricians’ group is issuing a new set of medical guidelines meant to make it easier for women who have had Caesareans to find doctors and hospitals that will allow vaginal birth after Caesarean, or VBAC (pronounced vee-back).

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Kagan's Nomination with Lindsey Graham Voting in Favor

NY Times: Senate Panel Backs Kagan Nomination, With One Republican Vote, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg:

Solicitor General Elena Kagan moved one step closer to becoming a Supreme Court justice on Tuesday when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13 to 6, almost entirely along party lines, to forward her nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

Just one Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, broke ranks with his party to back Ms. Kagan. His lengthy speech supporting her led to debate about the Senate’s increasingly partisan approach to judicial confirmations, as he took colleagues — including President Obama when he was a senator — to task for basing their votes on philosophy, rather than qualifications and character. . . .

Mortgage Lenders Reluctant to Lend to Prospective Borrowers on Maternity or Paternity Leave

NY Times: Seeking a Mortgage? Don’t Get Pregnant, by Tara Siegel Bernard:

Expectant parents shopping for a home are not the only ones concerned about the date of the baby’s arrival.

Mortgage lenders are taking a harder look at prospective borrowers whose income has temporarily fallen while they are on leave, including new parents at home taking care of a baby. Even if a parent plans on returning to work within weeks, some lenders are balking at approving the loans. . . .

Study Finds Vaginal Gel Cuts Risk of Contracting HIV

Wash. Post: Vaginal gel cuts risk of HIV infection, study shows, by David Brown:

For the first time a vaginal gel that a woman can use during sexual intercourse has been shown to markedly cut the risk of becoming infected with the virus that causes AIDS.

In a study of 900 South African women, a gel containing the antiretroviral drug tenofovir reduced the overall chance of infection by 39 percent. In women who used the substance consistently and as directed, the protection was even better: 54 percent.

The findings of the study, which will be described Tuesday at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, marks the first success in a 15-year-long search for a method of HIV prevention that can be controlled by women at risk of contracting the disease through sexual intercourse. Short of a vaccine, an effective "vaginal microbicide" has been the most elusive goal in the epidemic. . . . 

HIV Increasingly Affects Women, Yet Men Shape the Global Response

Salon.com: Women: The missing weapon against AIDS, by Ryan Brown:

The U.N. calls for more female voices to lead the global response to the epidemic

If you were to sketch the global face of HIV today, it would likely look something like this: young, poor and female. Women make up nearly 50 percent of the cases of HIV reported around the world this year, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, far and away the hardest-hit region, more than 60 percent of those living with the virus are women -- and those numbers are growing. Yet from boardrooms to U.N. meetings to the halls of government, the global response to HIV continues to be shaped and directed by men. . . .

Unsafe Abortion A Major Problem in Ghana Despite Procedure's Legal Status

Guttmacher News Release: Unsafe Abortion a Major Cause of Maternal Death in Ghana:

Lack of Awareness of Abortion Law Is a Barrier to Better Health

More than one in 10 pregnancy-related deaths in Ghana are the result of unsafe abortions. In addition, 13% of Ghanaian women who have had an abortion experience complications resulting from unsafe procedures, and fewer than half of them received the needed follow-up care. These statistics are all the more remarkable because Ghana is one of the few African countries where abortion is legal under fairly broad grounds, and abortion performed by a qualified professional under proper conditions is an extremely safe procedure. . . .

Gail Dines's Book, "Pornland," Addresses How Pornography Affects Human Sexuality

Newsweek Magazine: 'Pornland': How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality, by Gail Dines:

Profits, not pleasure, drive the porn industry. Indeed. Playboy logos adorn backpacks and Miley Cyrus looks like a stripper dancing on a pole. Yes. Female porn stars are simultaneously dehumanized and exalted. All of it is quite familiar, but recited together, as Dines has done in her book, it’s a sobering reality check. And if, as Dines argues, porn really is becoming a celebrated, completely commonplace facet of American life, this voice railing against the sex-saturated machine testifies to some pretty miserable sexual values infiltrating the culture.

What’s the Big Deal?

Pornographers are no longer in the business of making love, Dines says. Now, they’re making hate. With more than 370 million Internet sites, that means it takes something pretty shocking to stand out. The result? Dines argues that aspiring producers are turning out more and more “gonzo porn,” which is extreme, is graphic, and was once relegated to the fringes. Now it is mainstream, and undermining the ways men and women approach sex. . . . 

Obama Administration Will Ban Abortion Coverage In High Risk Insurance Pools

ACLU Press Release:

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration announced today that it intends to exclude abortion coverage from the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans, or high-risk insurance pools, created by the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Even using their own private funds, individuals would not be able to buy policies that cover abortion in these pools. The only exemptions would reportedly be for women who have been raped, who are the victims of incest or who will likely die if they carry the pregnancy to term.

The high-risk pools were created as a temporary program until the government can fully implement the Affordable Care Act and are made up of those who cannot purchase private insurance due to pre-existing health conditions, including cancer and heart disease. Women participating in high-risk insurance pools are especially vulnerable and may have a special need for abortion coverage. For example, under the ban a woman with heart disease or diabetes might be compelled to carry a pregnancy to term despite its potentially damaging effect on her future health. 
 
The following can be attributed to Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:
 
“Everyone’s circumstances and health care needs are different. And every woman should be able to decide what is best for her health and her family. By unnecessarily singling out abortion in the high-risk pools, the Obama administration is creating a needless barrier to comprehensive health care for the women who need it most. Health care reform should improve women's health and lives, not interfere with women’s decisions about the health care they need.”