Reproductive Laws for the 1990s

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. The Social Context for Reproductive Laws

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction

      • Sherrill Cohen, Nadine Taub

      Pages 3-10

3. Reproduction and Access to Health Care: A Legislator’s View

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 11-11

      PDF

   2. Reproduction and Access to Health Care

      • George Miller

      Pages 13-20

4. Society and Reproduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-21

      PDF

   2. Reproductive Laws, Women of Color, and Low-Income Women

      • Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson

      Pages 23-67

   3. Reproductive Technology and Disability

      • Adrienne Asch

      Pages 69-124

5. Reproductive Policy Position Papers and Commentaries for the 1990s

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 125-125

      PDF

   2. Prenatal and Neonatal Technology, Abortion, and Birth

      1. Time Limits on Abortion

         • Nan D. Hunter

         Pages 129-153

      2. Prenatal Screening

         • Mary Sue Henifin, Ruth Hubbard, Judy Norsigian

         Pages 155-183

      3. Fetus as Patient

         • Janet Gallagher

         Pages 185-235

      4. “Hard Cases” and Reproductive Rights

         • Jeannie I. Rosoff

         Pages 237-240

      5. Disability Rights Perspectives on Reproductive Technologies and Public Policy

         • Deborah Kaplan

         Pages 241-247

      6. The Fetus is a Patient

         • Alan R. Fleischman

         Pages 249-257

      7. Reconciling Offspring and Maternal Interests during Pregnancy

         • John A. Robertson

         Pages 259-274

   3. Reproductive Choice: Hazards and Interference

      1. Reproductive Hazards in the Workplace

         • Joan E. Bertin

         Pages 277-305

      2. Interference with Reproductive Choice

         • Nancy Gertner

         Pages 307-328

      3. An Attorney General’s Outlook

         • Robert Abrams

         Pages 329-330

      4. The View from Capitol Hill

         • Edmund D. Cooke Jr., Sally J. Kenney

         Pages 331-339

The Project on Reproductive Laws for the 1990s began in 1985 with the realization that reports of scientific developments and new technologies were stimulating debates and discussions among bioethicists and policymakers, and that women had little part in those discussions either as participants or as a group with interests to be considered. With the help of a planning grant from the Rutgers University Institute for Research on Women, the Women's Rights Litigation Clinic at Rutgers University Law School-Newark held a planning meeting that June attended by approximately 20 theorists and activists in the area of reproductive rights. Project purposes, methods, and general shape took form at the meeting. Two goals have characterized the Project's work since then: first, to generate discussion, debate, and, where possible, consensus among those committed to reproductive autonomy and gender equality as to how best to respond to the questions raised by re­ ported advances in reproductive and neonatal technology and new modes of reproduction; and second, to ensure that those shaping reproductive law and policy appreciate the ramifications of these developments for gender equality. In meeting this twofold agenda, the Project focused on six areas: time limits on abortion; prenatal screening; fetus as patient; reproductive hazards in the workplace; interference with reproductive choice; and alternative modes of reproduction. The Project identified individuals to take respon­ sibility for drafting model legislation and position papers in the six areas (for the drafters, see the Appendix).

• autonomy
• health
• reproduction

"A timely topic of concern to all Americans...well argued, cogent, and... persuasive... An excellent sourcebook on the ethical questions that [society] must confront if [it is] to continue to develop and use new reproductive technologies." -Choice

• Women’s Rights Litigation Clinic, Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, USA

  Sherrill Cohen, Nadine Taub

Policies and ethics