Since my other thread is generating zero interest, here's something to chew on. I stumbled across this on another site I frequent:
Here's the legislation:
The libertarian side of me is outraged; the conservative side of me, the one that recognizes that stable families are best for raising children (not to denigrate the thousands of single parents who have done wonderful jobs raising their children, my late mother-in-law included), while down on the criminilization aspect, isn't sure the overall concept is bad. I'm no anti-sex, pro-family type - I have no intention of having children, and I think mature, responsible, consenting adults should have all the sex they want, without restriction or interference. And I support gay marriage, gay adoption, etc. But I do feel society should promote and advocate a stable family situation for children, existing and potential.
The Crime of "Unauthorized Reproduction"
New law will require marriage as a legal condition of motherhood
By Laura McPhee
Republican lawmakers are drafting new legislation that will make marriage a requirement for motherhood in the state of Indiana, including specific criminal penalties for unmarried women who do become pregnant "by means other than sexual intercourse."
According to a draft of the recommended change in state law, every woman in Indiana seeking to become a mother through assisted reproduction therapy such as in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, and egg donation, must first file for a "petition for parentage" in their local county probate court.
Only women who are married will be considered for the "gestational certificate" that must be presented to any doctor who facilitates the pregnancy. Further, the "gestational certificate" will only be given to married couples that successfully complete the same screening
process currently required by law of adoptive parents.
As it the draft of the new law reads now, an intended parent "who knowingly or willingly participates in an artificial reproduction procedure" without court approval, "commits unauthorized reproduction, a Class B misdemeanor." The criminal charges will be the same for physicians who commit "unauthorized practice of
artificial reproduction."
[more...]
New law will require marriage as a legal condition of motherhood
By Laura McPhee
Republican lawmakers are drafting new legislation that will make marriage a requirement for motherhood in the state of Indiana, including specific criminal penalties for unmarried women who do become pregnant "by means other than sexual intercourse."
According to a draft of the recommended change in state law, every woman in Indiana seeking to become a mother through assisted reproduction therapy such as in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, and egg donation, must first file for a "petition for parentage" in their local county probate court.
Only women who are married will be considered for the "gestational certificate" that must be presented to any doctor who facilitates the pregnancy. Further, the "gestational certificate" will only be given to married couples that successfully complete the same screening
process currently required by law of adoptive parents.
As it the draft of the new law reads now, an intended parent "who knowingly or willingly participates in an artificial reproduction procedure" without court approval, "commits unauthorized reproduction, a Class B misdemeanor." The criminal charges will be the same for physicians who commit "unauthorized practice of
artificial reproduction."
[more...]
The libertarian side of me is outraged; the conservative side of me, the one that recognizes that stable families are best for raising children (not to denigrate the thousands of single parents who have done wonderful jobs raising their children, my late mother-in-law included), while down on the criminilization aspect, isn't sure the overall concept is bad. I'm no anti-sex, pro-family type - I have no intention of having children, and I think mature, responsible, consenting adults should have all the sex they want, without restriction or interference. And I support gay marriage, gay adoption, etc. But I do feel society should promote and advocate a stable family situation for children, existing and potential.
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