mountain_laurel | "unauthorized reproduction" - and we're not talking copyrights

legislation is being drafted in Indiana that would make it a crime for an unmarried woman to become pregnant using in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, etc. An upcoming article, which will be published in the Indiananapolis magazine NUVO, explains it thusly:

According to a draft of the recommended change in state law, every woman in Indiana seeking to become a mother through assisted reproduction therapy such as in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, and egg donation, must first file for a "petition for parentage" in their local county probate court.

Only women who are married will be considered for the "gestational certificate" that must be presented to any doctor who facilitates the pregnancy. Further, the "gestational certificate" will only be given to married couples that successfully complete the same screening process currently required by law of adoptive parents.

if this doesn't scare the shit out of you, you need to read it again:

the "gestational certificate" will only be given to married couples that successfully complete the same screening process currently required by law of adoptive parents

this isn't "for the children." this is eugenics, plain and simple. this would make it illegal for a single woman without a handy sex partner to have a child. it would make it illegal for an unmarried couple with fertility problems to have a child. it would make it illegal for a gay couple to have a child. it would make it illegal for married couples who are poor to have a child. this is one step away from total state-sponsored eugenics.

believe me, if you're thinking you sometimes wish a license was required to reproduce, i'm with you. but realistically, we cannot allow that to happen. think of the repercussions. if you can do that without actually pissing yourself. me, i'm going to start writing letters now.

i mean, holy shit.

addendum: this legislation has been dropped, apparently. the draft of the legislation has been deleted since i last looked at it, only a half-hour ago. fuckin' A.

but what does it say about the political climate of this country that the Health Finance Commission of Indiana sat down and wrote this up? and actually thought they could get away with it?