Alabama lawmakers weigh strict 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban

By Verna Gates BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - Alabama lawmakers will debate four abortion measures on Tuesday, including a proposal that would ban the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is heard and almost guarantee a legal challenge from opponents if approved. The sponsor of the Alabama measure, Republican state Representative Mary Sue McClurkin, said it was needed to protect the lives of unborn children. Critics of the legislation say a fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as five or six weeks into a pregnancy, which is before many women even realize they are pregnant. The proposed abortion restriction is "blatantly" unconstitutional, said Jennifer Dalven, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Reproductive Freedom Project.



via Health News Headlines - Yahoo News http://ift.tt/1f3dEGB