Tennessee Bill Would Allow Prosecution For Death Of An Embryo

By Alan with comments April 25, 2012 11:44

It’s passed the Tennessee Senate and House, but Governor Bill Haslam hasn’t said where he stands on the bill.

The bill (HB3517) marks the second change in two years to a law that since 1989 had it a crime to cause the death of a “viable fetus.” That was changed last year to eliminate the word “viable.”

Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet, the sponsor, said legislators have since learned that, under the scientific definition of a fetus, the term only applies when eight weeks or more has passed since conception. Adding “embryo” covers from the moment of conception.