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The bill, the
first of its kind in the nation according to the Salt Lake
Tribune, states that an anesthetic or analgesic will "eliminate
or alleviate organic pain to the unborn child."
"The governor is adamantly pro-life. He believes in not only
erring on the side of life, but also minimizing any pain that
may be caused to an unborn child," a spokesman for Republican
Governor Gary Herbert said in a statement.
Supporters of the bill and anti-abortion groups say that around
the 20th week of pregnancy a fetus can feel physical pain, and
anesthesia can eliminate discomfort.
Reproductive health advocates, including Planned Parenthood of
Utah, told the Tribune the position is scientifically unproven
and lawmakers have inserted politics into a private medical
matter.
Under the new law, doctors performing abortions would be
required to administer anesthesia to women seeking an elective
abortion around 20 weeks. Previous state law gave women the
choice whether or not to opt for anesthesia.
Abortions are prohibited in Utah after the point when the fetus
is viable, which is around 22 weeks.
The law will not affect a large number of women, the Tribune
reported, with 17 women in Utah receiving abortions at 20 weeks
of pregnancy or later in 2014, it said.
Republican state Senator Curt Bramble, who sponsored the bill,
had originally wanted to ban abortions after 20 weeks but was
told the move would be unconstitutional, the Salt Lake Tribune
reported.
(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere in New York; Editing by Richard
Pullin)
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