Christian Science Monitor Examines Legislative Efforts To Provide Ultrasounds To Women Seeking Abortions

Ultrasounds have become one of the "latest weapons" in the "battle" between abortion-rights opponents and advocates, the Christian Science Monitor reports. According to the Monitor, six states -- Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan and Mississippi -- have passed legislation requiring that ultrasounds be offered to women seeking abortions, and four states -- Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin -- require physicians to notify women seeking abortions about the availability of ultrasounds. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 22 bills relating to ultrasounds were introduced in 15 states this year.

Abortion-rights opponents say ultrasounds are a "medical imperative" for women seeking abortions and they allow women access to all available information before deciding whether to undergo the procedure, according to the Monitor. However, abortion-rights supporters say that ultrasounds are not medically necessary and that laws requiring ultrasounds for women seeking abortions or requiring physicians to offer them are "constitutionally suspect" and a form of "emotional blackmail," the Monitor reports.

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