Atlanta, Ga., Feb 20, 2008 / 01:45 am
The Georgia legislature on Monday held a hearing about a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant legal personhood to human beings at every stage of their development, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Called the “Human Life Amendment,” the legislation states, "With respect to the fundamental and inalienable rights of all persons guaranteed in this Constitution, the word 'person' applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, race, sex, health, function, or condition of dependency, including unborn children at every state of their biological development, including fertilization."
Both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly must pass the measure by a two-thirds vote, and then the amendment must be approved by a majority vote in a statewide referendum.
Georgia Right to Life is promoting the bill, though not all pro-life groups have endorsed it. Some critics argue the wording of the bill is so broad that it would outlaw capital punishment and invalidate living wills.