'fetal pain' abortion law passes

Utah will now require doctors to provide anesthesia to women having abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later. The law, which experts say is the first of its kind in the nation, is based on the scientifically disputed notion that a fetus can feel pain during the procedure. Utah governor Gary Herbert, who is pro-life, signed the bill into law on March 28. But Utah's measure is not the first time states have used the theory of fetal pain as justification to ban abortion at 20 weeks. Fifteen states have moved to do that but only 12 actively ban the procedure after that time because three states are facing court challenges to laws. The 12 states that ban abortions after 20 weeks are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The three states facing court challenges are Arizona, Georgia and Idaho. A rigorous 2005 scientific review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association said fetal perception of pain is unlikely before the third trimester and no studies since 2005 demonstrate fetal recognition of pain. However, a supporter of the bill stated that science isn't settled on the issue, and that if there's even a chance that a fetus may feel pain then the bill is beneficial.

In Other News Patty Duke, the actress who won fame with her stage and screen portrayals of Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker," died Tuesday, according to her agent. She was 69. Duke died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine. Duke won a best supporting actress Academy Award in 1963 for "The Miracle Worker.” Duke also struggled with mental illness, having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in The U.S. men's soccer team stayed alive in its quest to reach the 2018 World Cup, beating Guatemala, 4-0. The Americans could have been on the brink of elimination had they lost. The U.S. has not lost a home game during a FIFA World Cup qualifier since With the win, the U.S. is in a strong position to advance to the World Cup in Russia with good showings against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago in its final two games.