In late April, Planned Parenthood suspected that it was the subject of such a sting operation. At the time, the group called Live Action’s tactic a hoax and condemned sex-selection abortions.
“Planned Parenthood does not offer sex determination services; our ultrasound services are limited to medical purposes,” Planned Parenthood education vice president Leslie Kantor and Carolyn Westhoff, a senior medical adviser for Planned Parenthood, wrote. ”Gender bias is contrary to everything our organization works for daily in communities across the country. Planned Parenthood opposes racism and sexism in all forms, and we work to advance equity and human rights in the delivery of health care.”
“Planned Parenthood condemns sex selection motivated by gender bias, and urges leaders to challenge the underlying conditions that lead to these beliefs and practices, including addressing the social, legal, economic, and political conditions that promote gender bias and lead some to value one gender over the other,” the pair continued, asserting that stings such as Live Action’s are an attempt by “anti-choice” advocates to further “legislation that blocks access to basic reproductive health care, including birth control.”
In February, Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks’ legislation banning abortions sought because of a child’s sex or race, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, passed through the House Judiciary Committee. Life News reported last week that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has scheduled time for debate and a floor vote on Wednesday.
“Our innate sense of human fairness should make it abundantly clear that aborting a little baby because he or she happens to be black or because he or she has been arbitrarily deemed ‘lesser’ is fundamentally wrong, representing a betrayal of the precious truth that all men are created equal and are stamped with the Imago Dei on their souls,” Franks said in a statement after his legislation passed through the committee on a 20-13 vote.
Pro-choice advocates contend that Franks’ proposal will further restrict women’s access to reproductive health services and violate their right to privacy.
“Every woman has unique considerations and circumstances that inform her decision-making process, and she is in the best position to make the right decision for herself and her family,” NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan testified during a December hearing before a House Judiciary subcommittee.
