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Lawton senator supports "Personhood" bill

Lawton_State Senator Don Barrington of Lawton says he is happy that his colleagues in the Senate approved the "Personhood Bill" by an overwhelming majority this week.

The bill formally states that life begins at conception, and grants 'Personhood' status to fetuses. This same bill---word for word, was passed in Missouri about eighteen years ago. It simply states that life begins at conception. Now, the State of Oklahoma is looking to declare that same statement. Senator Don Barrington backs this bill one hundred percent.

"We have the obligation to protect life at its earliest stages, so therefore anytime we have the opportunity that we can bring legislation forth like this that brings us in line to protect life for those that can't speak for themselves, we do it," said Sen. Barrington. 

At this point, this bill would have no *practical* application. Abortions would still be legal in the state of Oklahoma. But infertility specialists are concerned that this bill could potentially have negative effects---they worry that if the personhood bill is signed off on, they will have constant eyes on their work, looking at it as a crime since there would be a new definition of what a fertilized egg actually is---if passed that egg would be a human, with all a human's rights.

Infertility specialists argue the validity of this bill because of the fact that only thirty percent of fertilized eggs result in pregnancy---whether that's naturally or in a lab setting. But nonetheless, Barrington believes the state of Oklahoma will pass this law, based on moral value alone.

"Our values run deep in Okla homa. We believe that life is precious and we believe that we have a responsibility to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, which is that life in the womb. No one knows that one life could be the future President of the United States."

The "Personhood Bill" still needs approval from the House, and the governor, but there is every indication it will become law by the end of the session.