North Dakota Senate approves "heartbeat" abortion ban

[Tab]

Six weeks, but usually 10 to 12 weeks. But "evidence of - potential life" - why don't they just test for metabolic activity ferchrissakes? Wait - retract that - I don't want to give them any ideas.

(Reuters) - The North Dakota Senate approved what would be the most restrictive abortion law in the United States on Friday, a measure banning the procedure in most cases once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, as early as six weeks.
...
"The images and heartbeat from the womb provide strong and overwhelming evidence of - at the very least - potential life," Berry said. "And we have been instructed by the Supreme Court to protect that very potential."

At six weeks, the ban would take effect before many women would know they were pregnant, said the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents North Dakota's only clinic that provides abortions, the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo.

More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/15/us-usa-abortion-northdakota-idUSBRE92E10320130315

I'm okay with fetus viability, but this is getting a little nuts.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. Arkansas has passed a similar bill, but they went for 12 weeks instead of 6 that

they wanted originally. It will be challenged in court as being unconstitutional since Roe v Wade allows abortions until 22-24 weeks. A "fetal pain" bill also passed which denies abortions after 20 weeks. Both bills were passed by overriding vetoes by Governor Beebe. The court challenge will cost the state money that it cannot afford.

[magellan]

2. This should never have been left to the states. n/t

[snappyturtle]

3. This subject was posted earlier at the link below.

I found the comments very interesting.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2514504

I posted the following there: It's from americanpregnancy.org

Week 6 – Gestational Age (Fetal age 4 weeks)

5 ½ to 6 ½ weeks is usually a very good time to detect either a fetal pole or even a fetal heart beat by vaginal ultrasound. The fetal pole is the first visible sign of a developing embryo. This pole structure actually has some curve to it with the embryo’s head at one end and what looks like a tail at the other end. The fetal pole now allows for crown to rump measurements (CRL) to be taken, so that pregnancy dating can be a bit more accurate. The fetal pole may be seen at a crown-rump length (CRL) of 2-4mm, and the heartbeat may be seen as a regular flutter when the CRL has reached 5mm.

[Tab]

4. I'm not questioning whether or not a heartbeat is detectable at that age

it's more whether that should be the yardstick to determining if that's the cutoff point for an abortion.

[snappyturtle]

5. I wasn't questioning you at all. I just found this info the thought it interesting!

The comments on the other DU post (In the article linked) were interesting because, as one pointed out, that I always forget, is that Roe vs. Wade was decided on a point of privacy for the mother. So none of these yardsticks makes any difference although I view this attempt by the repubs as an assault on Roe vs. Wade.....to their peril. They look more ridiculoous day by day.