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Senate passes two more abortion bills

The state Senate has approved a pair of anti-abortion bills.

One would decare that human life begins at the moment of conception. It’s been called the “personhood” bill.  It saya a fertilized egg has rights. It prohibits the intentional destruction of embryos – and more closely regulates in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro doctors oppose the bill, as does the North Dakota Medical Association.

"For all those families and future families made whole by our in-vitro professionals who oppose this bill, I and the majority of the Judiciary Committee ask for a 'do not pass' on this bill," Sen. John Grabinger (D-Jamestown) said on the Senate floor.

Sen. Margaret Sitte (R-Bismarck) argued for the bill.

"A human embryo is a human being," said Sitte. "Yes, it may be small, but you and I were once human embryos."

Sitte also said the concerns that embryos could become wards of the state were unfounded.

"There are so many people around the nation that want to adopt embryos," Sitte said. "There are so many people who struggle with infertility issues. This is a reasonable bill."

The measure passed 24-23. That's the bare minimum vote to pass a bill in the Senate.

A second bill would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks has passed the Senate. Dubbed “the fetal pain bill,” it says a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks.

Sen. Carolyn Nelson (D-Fargo) says the state’s only abortion clinic – in Fargo – doesn’t do abortions after the 16th week – so the bill probably won’t have any effect.

"I, quite frankly, don't like abortions," Nelson told her Senate colleagues. "But I don't think it is my job to tell your wife or your daughter, granddaughter or whatever,  what her medical decision should be. That decision is between her and her doctor -- not us."

The bill passed 30-19. Supporters say this could set up a direct challenge to the US Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Both will now be considered by the House.

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