Restrictions on Abortion, Social Justice and the Ethics of Research in Maternal-Fetal Therapy Trials

At no time in recent decades has more attention been paid to ethical issues in pregnancy. Particularly riveting — and alarming, to many — was the passage of Senate Bill 8, a Texas law banning abortion after six weeks gestation, and allowing private citizens to file lawsuits against anyone who either performs or “aids and abets” an abortion after the six-week cutoff (Bill Text: TX SB8 j 2021-2022 j 87th Legislature j Enrolled j LegiScan 2022). Plaintiffs who prevail are entitled to at least $10,000 and reimbursement of legal fees. The Supreme Court has declined to intervene (Court leaves Texas’ six-week abortion ban in effect and narrows abortion providers’ challenge – SCOTUSblog 2022).