Human rights for a fetus but not for the woman it is in
dimanche 27 octobre 2013 à 13:00A Wisconsin court went to great lengths to respect human rights for a fetus, but not much for the woman it is in.
To take drugs that could cause abnormalities in the fetus is a grave act if the fetus develops into a damaged human being. It's legitimate for the state to take steps to prevent this, but imprisoning the mother-to-be doesn't seem very constructive, and neither was imposing conditions that caused her to lose her job.
The absence of universal medical care in the US seems to play a role in the problem. This woman can't afford to see a doctor.
However, there is a point I don't understand. When she was invited to take her drug under medical supervision, she declined. That sounds like gratuitous noncooperation, and doesn't make sense. But maybe she had a reason — for instance, would she have had to pay for it, which she could not afford?