Protection of Potential Life in Illinois: Policy and Law at Odds

30 Pages Posted: 8 Mar 2018 Last revised: 10 Aug 2022

See all articles by Jeffrey A. Parness

Jeffrey A. Parness

Northern Illinois University - College of Law

Date Written: 1984

Abstract

Recent advances in scientific and medical understanding of human reproduction make more possible significant state legislative action protective of the human unborn. Contrary to much contemporary thinking, such legal protection not only is consistent with the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, but also is legitimized and perhaps even encouraged by that decision. Further, such legal protection often is supported in a state both by the general public sentiment and by the particular sentiments of those individuals whose families the unborn may one day join. While the concurrent general popular support and particular individual support for protecting potential human life form the basis of a public policy favoring significant legal protection for the unborn in Illinois, adequate legal protection of potential human life is unrealized in this state. After examining the decision in Roe and the objectives underlying state protection of potential human life, the dichotomies between prevailing Illinois public policy and current Illinois law will be examined and suggested changes will be noted.

Keywords: human reproduction, unborn, Illinois, potential life, legal protection

Suggested Citation

Parness, Jeffrey A., Protection of Potential Life in Illinois: Policy and Law at Odds (1984). Northern Illinois University Law Review, Vol. 5, No. 1, 1984, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3129105

Jeffrey A. Parness (Contact Author)

Northern Illinois University - College of Law ( email )

Swen Parson Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
20
Abstract Views
476
PlumX Metrics