LARSON WEEKLY REPORT - December 8, 2011

Senator Chris Larson - 7th District

Another Attack on Women's Health
Republican legislators have resumed their assault on women's health by recently introducing Assembly Joint Resolution 77. This resolution would change Wisconsin’s Constitution by providing full legal rights to an egg from the moment it is fertilized by sperm.

The repercussions of this amendment would have devastating consequences for women’s health as it could prevent a woman with a life-threatening pregnancy from getting the care she needs, allow the government to intrude into private doctor-patient relationships, and criminalize even common forms of birth control, such as the pill and IUDs. It will also devastate stem cell research in Wisconsin, which has blossomed into a billion dollar industry that helps drive our economy.

Limiting Women's Health
Family planning services are vital to our state and have proven to be effective by saving Wisconsin over $500,000 annually by helping to prevent unintended pregnancies. Furthermore, investing in basic reproductive health care and family planning services shows a commitment to Wisconsin's working families.

This resolution would end many of our state's existing family planning services, by making even common forms of birth control, such as the pill and IUDs illegal and thus inaccessible to women across the state. Furthermore, this resolution would also ban abortion in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

The government should not have the right to intrude on family planning matters as this is a very personal issue and is different for every family. Unfortunately, this is what all families should expect if Assembly Joint Resolution 77 is adopted.

Punishing Couples Who Cannot Conventionally Conceive
In addition to directly affect women's health, Assembly Joint Resolution 77 would also punish couples struggling with infertility. Infertility is a growing issue that many couples face. It currently affect 6.1 million American couples, which is 10% of American couples of childbearing age. As a result of this increasingly common problem, many couples are turning to technology, such as In Vitro Fertilization, to make their dreams of a family a reality.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are generally five steps associated with In Vitro Fertilization:

1. The woman takes fertility medications to increase egg production
2. Eggs are retrieved from the woman
3. Sperm are acquired from the man
4. The sperm and egg are combined and placed in incubators to enable fertilization creating embryos
5. On average, no more than four embryos are then transferred into the woman's uterus

This process can often result in excess embryos being created as a contingency has to be made to account for the fact that not all eggs retrieved from the woman will actually reach fertilization and it is dangerous to place more than four embryos into a woman's uterus. Therefore, current processes used to assist couples that are unable to conceive conventionally may be considered illegal and in violation of the constitution if this resolution were to pass.

Prohibiting Life-Saving Research, Damaging Our Economy
Another area that would be adversely affected by Assembly Joint Resolution 77 is Wisconsin's research and development sector. Wisconsin has grown to become a leader in the companion fields of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. This road to success began in 1995 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the first successful culturing of embryonic stem cells from non-human primates, and later with the isolation of the world’s first human embryonic stem cells.

According to the National Institutes of Health, stems cells may be the key to curing many degenerative diseases, including cancer, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Through its research, UW-Madison aims to treat debilitating diseases by discovering new medicines and uncovering the fundamental processes that lead to such diseases. As a result, many people across the state, throughout the country and around the world who are or know someone suffering from one of these diseases are counting on Wisconsin's continued progress in this field.

In addition to making landmark discoveries, Wisconsin has lead the way in transforming cutting edge research into high-paying jobs. Experts predict the
stem cell industry sector will reach in excess of $10 billion over the next ten years.

Moving Wisconsin in the Wrong Direction
Assembly Joint Resolution 77 is moving our state in the wrong direction. Thus, if this legislation comes to the Senate, I will vote in a way that reflects Wisconsin’s commitment to women’s health, privacy, and freedom. This legislation is so extreme that I am even joined in opposing this joint resolution by our state’s largest anti-abortion group, Wisconsin Right to Life, which has publicly stated that "a personhood amendment strategy is not necessary, risky —and just plain wrong for Wisconsin."

CLICK HERE to view a copy of Assembly Joint Resolution 77.

Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487
Email: Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

Web Site:
SenatorChrisLarson.com