Bad Legislation Would Protect Creation and Destruction of Human Embryos in Arkansas
Legislation has been filed in Arkansas guaranteeing that people have a “right” to create and kill human embryos.
H.B. 1013 by Rep. Andrew Collins (D — Little Rock) governs fertility treatments in Arkansas. The bill says every individual has a “right” to receive fertility treatments from healthcare providers — including a right to sign contracts with providers concerning the way the provider handle, test, store, ship, and dispose of “the individual’s reproductive genetic material.”
The bill makes it clear that “reproductive genetic material” includes fertilized eggs and embryos.
Lawmakers will have the opportunity to discuss H.B. 1013 and other measures when they convene for their next legislative session in Little Rock on January 13.
H.B. 1013 would protect unethical practices that violate the sanctity of human life in Arkansas.
Unethical fertility clinics have come under fire for creating and killing surplus human embryos, allowing them to be used for medical experimentation, or leaving them in cold storage indefinitely.
Being pro-life means believing that human life is sacred from conception until natural death.
Human embryos are human beings — and human beings are not products that can be created and destroyed at will.
H.B. 1013 would give people and medical facilities the “right” to violate the sanctity and dignity of human life.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
Lawsuit Over Issue 2 Could Go to Trial in March of 2025
The lawsuit over whether or not Arkansas can keep a casino out of Pope County may go to trial in March of next year. The lawsuit is part of Cherokee Nation Business’s effort to block Issue 2 that voters passed on November 5.
Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment that prevents the State of Arkansas from licensing a casino in Pope County. It also prevents any additional casinos from being opened in Arkansas without a new constitutional amendment and without local voter approval at a special election.
Cherokee Nation Business had previously received a license to operate a casino in Pope County. After Issue 2 passed, Cherokee Nation Business filed a federal lawsuit to undo the will of the people and block Issue 2.
The lawsuit argues that Issue 2 violates Cherokee Nation Business’s constitutional rights. It also claims Issue 2 lacks due process, impairs contracts, and unfairly targets their casino license.
Last week U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr., issued a scheduling order indicating the lawsuit could go to trial sometime March 18-20 or March 25-27.
Legalized gambling has become a scourge in our state. On average, Arkansans are gambling more than a million dollars every day on sports betting alone. In spite of that, casino tax revenue has not improved Arkansas’ roads or boosted the economy. Instead it’s hurt our communities. The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year. Unless Arkansas’ lawmakers and its people take a stand, gambling addiction is simply going to continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.