Bill would create fetal rights in Italy

ROME, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A bill that would give fetuses legal rights was introduced in the Italian Senate by the governing center-right coalition Thursday.

Maurizio Gasparri, head of the People of Freedom Party caucus, said the legislation would not change abortion laws, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Women can now obtain abortions during the first trimester of a pregnancy for any reason and later if continuing the pregnancy would risk the mother's life or health or a fetus is deformed.

''What we want is to establish limits against new abortion techniques that violate the law's original intent,'' Gasparri said.

Donatella Portetti, a senator representing the largest opposition group, the Democratic Party, said the law is ''the government's latest assault on Italians' freedom to decide whether they want to live, die or have children.''

The major debate on abortion in Italy at the moment is whether to allow use of RU486, which can induce abortions chemically. Gasparri did not say whether the proposed bill would affect that debate.