Personhood Resolution Heats Up State Capitol

An effort to declare that life begins at conception sparks controversy and questions.

Friday, February 17th 2012, 11:09 pm

By: News 9


An effort to declare that life begins at conception sparks controversy and questions.

We've also gotten dozens of your comments after Thursday night's story on the "Personhood" bill. House Joint Resolution 1067 leaves Oklahomans with a lot of unresolved questions, so we talked with its author for clarity to take a look at what the passing of personhood would mean for women in Oklahoma.

"Most people in Oklahoma believe life begins at conception, they couldn't pick another time," said Rep. Mike Reynolds, who authored the resolution.

The joint resolution makes it clear that only birth control that kills a person will be against the law.  That means the morning after pill known as Plan B is out, the daily pill is ok.

This house version of the personhood resolution also says the medical treatments for life-threatening physical conditions intended to preserve life are authorized. It outlaws abortion except in the case of an ectopic pregnancy or when the mother's life is threatened.

The proposal has outraged many Oklahomans including Lauren Zuniga.

"Why don't you knit the baby a sweater, make me take it out on the anniversary on this day for the rest of my life to remind me that I chose to be a murderer," Zuniga said.

The resolution said "No innocent child created through rape or incest shall be killed for the crime of his or her father," something Rep. Reynolds defends.

"You couldn't change the language to say that life begins at conception except in the case of rape.  That doesn't make any sense," Reynolds said.

Zuniga believes the resolution doesn't make sense and wants Reynolds to address the unintended consequences like unprepared mothers.

"I will name him after you if you will help me do my homework, when he is crying in the next room, give me food stamps, pay my gas bills. If you want to play God, Mr. and Mrs. lawmaker, if you want to write your bible on my organs, then you better be there," she said.

People who oppose the resolution point out how cash-strapped DHS and this bill could mean more children end up in state custody.

DHS doesn't comment on pending legislation but works with lawmakers to make them aware of unintended consequences.

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