JACKSON, Miss. (AP, abc24.com) - A physician who does in vitro fertilization says a Mississippi ballot initiative could cause government interference in medical decisions now made by doctors and patients.
Initiative 26 will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot. It seeks to declare that life begins when a human egg is fertilized.
Dr. Randall Hines of Jackson, an IFV specialist, joined about 20 medical workers Thursday at a "Doctors Against 26" news conference at the state Capitol.
Hines says he believes the initiative could limit treatment for infertility and outlaw some forms of birth control such as the intrauterine device.
Among the physicians supporting the "personhood" initiative is Dr. Freda Bush, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Jackson. She says opponents are using scare tactics and she believes the measure would help protect women and babies.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
