Amendment 48

Here is the full text of the proposal for Amendment 48 which will be on Colorado's ballot in November.

Amendment 48

Definition of Person

Ballot Title: An amendment to the Colorado constitution defining the term "person"
to include any human being from the moment of fertilization as "person" is used in those provisions of the Colorado constitution relating to inalienable rights, equality of justice, and due process of law.

Text of Proposal:
Be it Enacted by the People of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1. Article II of the constitution of the state of Colorado is amended BY THE
ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
Section 31. Person defined. AS USED IN SECTIONS 3, 6, AND 25 OF ARTICLE II OF
THE STATE CONSTITUTION, THE TERMS "PERSON" OR "PERSONS" SHALL INCLUDE ANY
HUMAN BEING FROM THE MOMENT OF FERTILIZATION.

From the Colorado State Constitution Article II:

Section 3. Inalienable rights. All persons have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; and of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

Section 6. Equality of justice. Courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury to person, property or character; and right and justice should be administered without sale, denial or delay.

Section 25. Due process of law. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law.

I see nowhere that this amendment will prevent birth control. It is not meant to prevent babies from being created, but rather to protect babies after they have been created. How does this amendment prevent in-vitro fertilization? How does it prevent the birth control pill? How will it allow government to search our homes and our bathrooms to see if a fertilized egg has been cast off during a regular menstrual cycle?

These are all arguments I've read against this amendment. I see the most basic argument against this amendment as limiting women from using abortion as birth control or birth selection. After all, isn't that the whole opposition to this amendment? That women and men will have to take responsiblity for their actions when it creates a child.

If you don't want a baby, practice abstinence. After all, no one has ever died from practicing abstinence, but plenty have died from not practicing it.