New Hampshire House Bill 1719-FN. “An act defining human life as beginning at the moment of fertilization for the purposes of prenatal, pregnancy, and maternity services and programs”

Recently, the author was asked by the New Hampshire State Medical Society to testify before the State of New Hampshire’s House Judiciary Committee, to address a bill that would establish the definition of when human life begins. Other states, such as South Dakota, recently passed a ban on abortion. Such legislation will severely limit a woman’s ability to exercise her right to terminate her pregnancy. With the present composition of the US Supreme Court, it seems possible that in the not-too-distant future there will be a successful challenge to Roe v Wade . It is important that as health care providers we take the time to educate our public officials and general citizenry about the complexity of such issues. The subsequent editorial will paraphrase the statement that was delivered. Fortunately, the bill was defeated.