Plan B Forum

Mississippi is voting on a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it the first US state to define a fertilized human egg as a person.

The measure would confer rights on an embryo from the moment of conception, effectively outlawing abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.

A survey found that that 45% of voters in Mississippi backed the measure, 44% were against, and 11% undecided.

But even if it does pass, it is likely to be inundated with legal challenges.

Under the so-called personhood ballot, voters on Tuesday are being asked: "Should the term 'person' be defined to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof?"

Backers of the amendment to the state's constitution collected more than 100,000 signatures from registered voters to introduce it to the ballot.

Critics warn of major legal repercussions if an embryo is granted equal rights to its mother

"Personhood is the key to all human rights," said Keith Mason, president of Personhood USA. "We believe that by legally changing the definition of what a person is, it can undermine Roe v Wade and outlaw abortion."

Roe v Wade is the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in the United States.

Tuesday's vote could also lead to the banning of some birth control methods in Mississippi.

The amendment has attracted strong support in the conservative and religious state, which has a single abortion clinic.

The state's Democratic and Republican candidates for governor, who are also running for election on Tuesday, have both come out in favour of the amendment.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15642138