Life Matters

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines the implications of the possible overturn of Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade prohibited all states from legally protecting children because it did not allow prosecution of abortionist doctors. Roe v. Wade was actually the combination of two conjoined decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.  In fact Roe v. Wade did not enforce a trimester system as commonly believed, because a powerful loophole exception was placed under Doe v. Bolton, allowing for abortion whenever the abortionist felt it might be appropriate for “health” reasons. Cases of health could include psychological emotional and sociological factors.   If Roe v. Wade is overturned it will not outlaw a single abortion, it will merely allow the various states to once again ensure protection under the law for unborn children. Twenty-one states have already passed laws that will immediately take affect if Roe is overturned. But many states - California chief amongst them - will have to pass legisl