Para liberación inmediata
Contacto: media@pregnancyjusticeus.org

WASHINGTON, DC. — A new survey from Pregnancy Justice and the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) reveals that a majority of likely voters oppose policies that grant legal rights to fertilized eggs, embryos, and fetuses. 

While many likely voters were initially not strongly opposed to “fetal personhood” — the anti-abortion strategy aimed at giving fertilized eggs, embryos, and fetuses the same legal, including constitutional, rights as people — likely due to their unfamiliarity with the concept, opposition rapidly increased once they learned this strategy leads to the criminalization of pregnancy loss, denial of emergency medical care, and broader threats to reproductive freedom.

Key findings from the poll include:

  • Two-thirds of voters had not heard, seen, or read anything in the news about “fetal personhood.” After learning more, opposition to granting legal rights to embryos and fetuses rose to 59% by the end of the survey, a full 25-point gap over those who support it.
  • Over two-thirds of voters opposed using fetal “rights” to criminalize miscarriage or deny emergency medical care to pregnant people.
  • Widespread fear of broader impacts:

    • 68% believe granting legal rights to embryos and fetuses could lead to a nationwide abortion ban.
    • 66% believe these laws would make OB-GYNs afraid to provide basic care out of fear of prosecution.
    • Large shares said these scenarios were “extremely likely” (38% and 35%, respectively).
  • More than three-quarters of voters say it is extremely or very important to protect the rights of people who are pregnant or could become pregnant.

“These findings confirm what advocates have long known: giving rights and benefits to embryos and fetuses is an extreme strategy that is incredibly unpopular and poses serious risks to pregnant people,” said Leila Abolfazli, director of national strategy on abortion rights at NWLC. “Yet despite this clear opposition, anti-abortion extremists are quietly moving this dangerous strategy forward. We should be doing everything to protect the rights of pregnant people, not take them away.”

“Voters understand what is really behind this effort to give legal rights and benefits to embryos and fetuses. It is about controlling women and undermining the rights of all people who become pregnant,” said Dana Sussman, senior vice president of Pregnancy Justice. “It is broadly unpopular; voters consistently want pregnant people to have autonomy over their bodies and their lives, and know what’s at stake. Lawmakers would benefit from listening to their constituents and working to provide real support to pregnant people and their families.”

To access the full survey memo and a one-page summary of key takeaways, visit this page. 

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Pregnancy Justice advances and defends the rights of pregnant people, no matter if they give birth, experience a pregnancy loss, or have an abortion. No one should lose their rights because of pregnancy.