On Sunday, the Perth newspapers carried the story that fetal homicide laws are to be introduced into Western Australia later this year. A similar law exists in Queensland.
In the rest of Australia however, under present laws, an unborn fetus has no legal status and is not recognised by the courts.
In an online poll on the site of the report asking "Do you agree with new laws to legally recognise an unborn baby as a human life?" 67% of respondants have answered 'yes'.
There are similar laws in different states across the USA. Thirty eight states have fetal homicide laws.
At least 20 states in the USA have fetal homicide laws that apply to the earliest stages of pregnancy, that is "any state of gestation," "conception," "fertilization" or "post-fertilization".
The WA Australian Medical Association (AMA) - the doctors' union, has declared the laws are good, because it enables "reckless" mothers to be charged if there is a misadventure.
What do you think are the problems or benefits inherent in this proposed law?
In the rest of Australia however, under present laws, an unborn fetus has no legal status and is not recognised by the courts.
In an online poll on the site of the report asking "Do you agree with new laws to legally recognise an unborn baby as a human life?" 67% of respondants have answered 'yes'.
There are similar laws in different states across the USA. Thirty eight states have fetal homicide laws.
At least 20 states in the USA have fetal homicide laws that apply to the earliest stages of pregnancy, that is "any state of gestation," "conception," "fertilization" or "post-fertilization".
The WA Australian Medical Association (AMA) - the doctors' union, has declared the laws are good, because it enables "reckless" mothers to be charged if there is a misadventure.
What do you think are the problems or benefits inherent in this proposed law?
