Emotional testimony heard over "Personhood" Amendment

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By Kacey Drescher

Story Published: Feb 14, 2011 at 5:56 PM MST

Story Updated: Feb 15, 2011 at 1:20 PM MST

HELENA - Pro-life and pro-choice forces clashed again in Helena Monday. The House Judiciary committee heard a bill that would change the state's constitution to recognize that life starts at conception. Opponents believe the so-called "Personhood" amendment is another attempt to ban abortion in the state. They say it would make women second-class citizens.

Even if the bill passes the legislature and is signed by the Governor, it would still have to approved by a vote of the people. Havre Republican Representative Wendy Warburton is sponsoring the bill. It calls for a person to be defined in the state's constitution. It would give those rights to a fetus at the moment of conception.

Rebecca Kiessling testified at the hearing. She was conceived after her mother was kidnapped and raped. She says her life matters and she believes life begins at conception and should be defined as such in law.

If the bill received a total of 100 votes in the House and Senate, it will be put before voters.

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Jenn said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 4:01 PM

@Tina, so in your opinion - if it boils down to choice and individual rights, I should be able to choose whether my neighbor lives or dies.... but I can't because murder is illegal. If you follow your logic, murder must be made legal... after all, it's my choice.

Tina said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 1:20 PM

A woman should have the right to choose abortion because she should be able to decide what will happen to her own body based on her own beliefs. This viewpoint would seem very democratic and in line with every other issue where the guiding principles are personal responsibility and respect for individual rights, yet this is one of the very few issues where these principles simply fail to apply. In this debate, religious fervor overtakes civil discussions, medical knowledge, and the right to privacy and self-determination.

OK PEOPLE said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 1:13 PM

SAY YOU AS A WOMAN ARE RAPED YOUR RAPIST IS INFECTED WITH HIV/AIDS SHALL WE KEEP HE CHILD TO ONLY LET HIM/HER SUFFER DAILY JUST TO APPEASE TO SOME PEOPLES OPINION?I WOULD BE WILLING TO ADOPT I LOVE CHILDERN TO MY CORE AND CANT HAVE ANY ABORTION IS NOT A WAY OUT BUT I DO AGREE IF IT IS OUT OF RAPE,INCEST,HEALTH FOR MOTHER AND CHILD

Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 11:58 AM

Might succeed in shutting down the abortion clinics, then women will just go out of state to have it done. So really, all this will do is put people out of jobs.

Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 11:26 AM

too bad its not the childs choice all you selfish women out there. maybe keep your pants on instead murdering children

Helena said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 10:51 AM

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. This is the womens choice, not yours!

the question said on Tuesday, Feb 15 at 6:51 AM

Who will adopt ?

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