The Personhood Act- Just the Facts, Ma’am


If you want to know my qualifications for making any comments about such a topic, see “About Me”.

The Personhood Act (Senate Bill 1433) appears to be pretty much “dead in the water” when it comes to the Oklahoma House and Senate, at this moment. So, why all the hubbub, Bub?

There is a lot of information out there–and a lot more propaganda. But after a couple of hours of not studying for finals, this is what I found that it really boils down to.

The Facts

There is an effort being made to ensure that this act is placed on the Oklahoma ballot for the upcoming presidential election as “State Question 761”. If enough signatures are obtained, the following document shows exactly what would be placed as an amendment to the Oklahoma constitution with no additional wording or exclusions.

(Here’s the link if you want to see the 75 page process.)

In summary, a fertilized egg (whether implanted or not) would be awarded full rights and protection equal to any other person in the state, including the mother.

Those really are the bare-bone facts.

Opinion to follow, but feel free to start asking any questions or making any comments on this topic.


6 responses to “The Personhood Act- Just the Facts, Ma’am”

  1. While I would and do consider myself pro-life, I think that’s what you would legally call “overbroad…” i.e. will likely have unintended scope and undesirable consequences. Not being a medical expert, I’d have some serious questions for people who knew more what they were talking about before I decided one way or the other. I’m sure I could come up with several scenarios, some more feasible/probable than others, where this would lead to quite bizzare results. While laws can’t and shouldn’t be expected to anticipate all contingencies, the possibilities that CAN be foreseen should be carefully considered. Plus there’s the whole problem of enforcement…does it really make sense to allow prosecution for murder/manslaughter if someone took an abortifacient drug (or intentionally/negligently/accidentally, by any variety of means, caused the death of the fetus)? Would this in effect require a police investigation of all miscarriages? If a law–on its face–can’t and won’t be enforced with any significant degree of consistency, I don’t think it’s a good law. My 2 cents 🙂

      • Thank you soooo much for you earlier postings. Had I only read this state question I may have been duped into voting for it. Please everyone that reads this bill regardless of you pro life/choice view return to Stephanie’s earlier post that explains the implications of this law.

        All decisions have consequences – please think about if these are what you want. The consequences are not just speculation as this is the law in some other states. Please be an informed voter.

    • I’m not going to be sharing my opinions until I can share them ALL lol– but just so that we all know how Susan is so eloquent, she’s in law school…for which, sometimes, I am jealous….but only sometimes.

    • I completely agree with Susan.

      Plus, if I’m not mistaken, abortion laws have never been this strict anywhere, not even before Roe v. Wade.