by Jessica Frison
Daily Lobo
Congress passed a bill last month to make violent crime against pregnant women a double felony, holding assailants legally responsible for the mother and her unborn child.
The bill has generated much controversy among pro-choice supporters, who see the Unborn Victims of Violence Act as a direct threat to abortion rights for women.
With the recognition of a fetus as a possible victim comes the implicit understanding that life begins in the womb. Although the bill does not attempt to define the beginning of life, opponents of the bill remain skeptical, questioning the true purpose behind this battle.
"The bill is part of a deceptive anti-choice strategy to make women's bodies mere vessels by creating legal personhood for the fetus," said Chris Lalley, communications director for Planned Parenthood of New Mexico.
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He added that violence against pregnant women is a major problem that should be addressed.
"This bill does nothing but shift the focus away from real solutions by undermining women's health and reproductive freedom," Lalley said.
Others, like UNM student William Wible, said the bill simply does not fit with the structure of the United States.
"Congress is making laws that are based on morals, which are really unsuitable for a country as diverse as this one - something which would be expected in a religious state where the political government and religious leaders act in tandem," Wible said.
Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, consider it a stepping stone to further strengthening of the protection for human life.
"The bill seems to support the Catholic Church position that all life is due a certain respect from the moment of conception until natural death," the Rev. Andrew Pavlak said.
In this sense, he said it follows the actual teaching of the Church - the consistent life ethic.
He expressed concern that implementing laws for the fight of human rights not be limited to the protection of the unborn, pushing the issue one step further.
"This debate is a bigger issue," Pavlak said.
He said the abortion debate should stand in a long line of life debates like euthanasia and capital punishment.
"I would hope that these same people would fight as vehemently for the abolishment of capital punishment," Pavlak said.
