Category Archives: Human Reproduction

Subterfuge has many faces, both facile and facetious. The Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh waited over twenty years to give an alternate home to the endangered Asiatic lions and found itself hosting the India- extinct cheetahs instead." The long wait is over. The Cheetahs have a home in India," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to the Namibian feline, adding that "the experiment must not be allowed to fail".

The arrival of the eight radio-collared African cheetahs coincided with the 72nd birthday of Narendra Modi, who was personally present to release them into the park. If cheerleaders for the government termed it the return of the prodigal, critics called it the PM's vanity project.Be that as it may, to put the record straight, this is not the return of the prodigal - the Asiatic cheetah- who roamed the heart of India in large numbers in the days of yore. There are very few specimens of the Asiatic cheetah left, and they exist only in Iran, though, during the 16th century, 10,000 roamed the country, according to Emperor Akbar's chronicled accounts. The experimental release at Kuno by the PM is the African variant.

Explained | Factors that pushed cheetah, the docile cat, to extinction in India

"Cheetahs return to India after 70 years absence," ran international news headlines. This was not entirely true either, for it was during Modi's chief ministership of Gujarat that the state had brought two pairs of cheetahs from the Singapore zoo in exchange for an Asiatic lion and two lionesses. These were accommodated in the Sakkarbaug Zoo, the country's oldest such facility, in Junagadh on March 24, 2009, after a public function presided over by Modi himself." It is part of the state government's efforts to breed them successfully in the country," he had told the media on the sidelines of the event. The pair failed to mate till 2012, and a proposal for assisted reproduction under an expert embryologist could not be implemented because of their age. The two pairs died of natural causes after attaining the age of 12, the last one in 2017. Interestingly in the 1980s, a number of Indian zoos received the African cheetah from abroad, but efforts to breed them in captivity failed.

Published reports aver that the last three Asiatic cheetahs were hunted down in 1948, and four years later(1952), India officially declared the cheetah extinct in the country.

The UN World Wildlife Day official website states that cheetahs have vanished from approximately 90 per cent of their historic range in Africa and are extinct in Asia except for a single isolated population of perhaps 50 individuals in central Iran. Listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red list of Threatened Species and considered critically endangered in North Africa and Asia. Thus the planet's fastest land animal, also considered the least dangerous big cat, now stands reduced to about 7100 in the wild and the Asiatic cheetah to a mere 50. A century ago, there were one lakh cheetahs, points out the World Atlas.

The cheetahs are divided into four sub-species: the Southeast African cheetah, the Northeast African cheetah, the Northwest African cheetah and the rare Asiatic cheetah. African and Asiatic cheetahs diverged about 67,000 years ago, each evolving differently. The Asiatic feline is slightly smaller and slender than the African one, with a smaller and longer neck and legs and lesser weight.

It was the Congress-led UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh that established the project cheetah in 2009 and initiated efforts to revive its population in India by bringing in African Cheetahs. Site surveys conducted by global experts and government officials in the cheetah ranges of yore led to the selection of Kuno-Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. However, matters ground to a halt in 2013 when the Supreme Court hauled the Union ministry of forests and climate change (MOEFCC) over the coals for the plan to introduce the African cheetah into India, noting that Kuno-Palpur was not a historical habitat for this foreign feline and also for not initiating a detailed scientific study before doing so. The apex court quashed the order of the MOEFF, holding that it did not stand up to judicial scrutiny.

Thereafter in 2020, the National Tiger Conservation Authority approached the apex court with a plea for the experimental introduction of cheetahs in India in a carefully chosen habitat. The court relented but appointed an expert committee to decide on the viability of introducing the cheetah. The panel comprised M K Ranjitsinh, former director of wildlife preservation, Dhananjai Mohan, chief conservator of forests (Uttarakhand) and director general (wildlife). The Indian government released a cheetah action plan in 2021, and lo and behold, the first batch of the feline is here, with more to follow soon.

The expert committee's report assessing the potential for reintroducing the cheetah had recommended Shahgarh as its first choice, with Kuno-Palpur only as the second choice. It states, "based on the overall assessment inclusive of prey densities, human pressures and potential for conflict, we rate the surveyed sites in the following order for cheetah re-introduction.

1. Shahgarh: This landscape on the international border in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan was found to be suitable for introducing cheetah. Taking all aspects into account, this is the most appropriate sight, provided the area is enclosed by the proposed fencing, and the livestock is excluded. As the area is fenced along the international border, we propose to additionally fence off the bulge area by constructing another 140 km long chain-link fence to encompass about 4000 sq km of xerophytic habitat. Within this area, about 80 seasonally used human settlements, each having 5-10 households, would need to be relocated with adequate and generous compensation and alternate arrangements provided. Though the prey species diversity was less (primarily chinkara) in Shahgarh, the area could currently support about 15 cheetahs and had the potential to sustain 40 cheetahs with habitat management within the large fenced ecosystem.

2. Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was the second choice. Being readied for the lions for nearly two decades, the site was therefore found to be ready to receive a large carnivore. "We rate this second only for its smaller size. The buffer area requires inputs of relocation, enforcement and eco-development."

3. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary has been rated third despite its very high potential as substantial investment and time required to make the 700 sq km inviolate by relocating 21 villages. The report warned re-introduction effort takes time, often with several failed attempts. "We envisage periodic bringing in of cheetahs to stock the sites for the next 15 years. After this time, resources will be needed to manage the established populations and their habitats. Long-term commitment of intent and resources are required for the program to be successful," it noted.

(The author is a senior journalist based in Ahmedabad)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.

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The genesis of the cheetah relocation - Deccan Herald

CBSE NotesCBSE Notes BiologyNCERT Solutions Biology

1. Humans are sexually reproducing and viviparous organisms. There are remarkable differences between the reproductive events and systems in male and female.2. Male reproductive system includes a pair of testes, accessory ducts, glands and the external genitalia.(i) Testes are located outside the abdominal cavity within a pouch called scrotum.Scrotum maintains the low temperature of the testes (2-2.5C lower than the normal body temperature) required for spermatogenesis.(a) Each testis is oval-shape (length 4-5 cm and width 2-3 cm) and covered by a dense covering called tunica albuginea.(b) Internally it is divided into about 250 compartments known as testicular lobules.(c) Each lobule contains 1-3 highly coiled (structural and functional units of testis) called seminiferous tubules in which sperms are produced.(d) Seminiferous tubule is lined on its inside by two types of cells called male germ cells (spermatogonia) and Sertoli cells.(e) Male germ cells undergo meiotic divisions finally leading to sperm formation.(f) Sertoli cells provide nutrition to the germ cells.(g) Interstitial spaces are present in outside regions of seminiferous tubules which contain small blood vessels and interstitial cells or Leydig cells.(h) Leydig cells synthesise and secrete the testicular hormones called androgens.(ii) Male accessory ducts include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis and vas deferens.(a) The intratesticular duct system starts with tubuli recti, which are short, straight end segments of the seminiferous tubules. These tubules connect the seminiferous tubules to the highly anastomosing, cuboidal epithelium-lined channels called rete testis.(b) From rete testis, 10-25 fine tubules arise called vasa efferentia that leave the testis and open into the epididymis.(c) Epididymis leads to vas deferens that ascends to the abdomen and loops over the urinary bladder.Diagrammatic sectional view of male pelvis showing reproductive systemDiagrammatic view of male reproductive system [part of testis is open to show inner details)Urinary bladder receives a duct from the seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct that runs through the prostate and opens into urethra.(e) Urethra receives the ducts of prostate gland and the bulbourethral gland (Cowpers glands) a little ahead and runs through the penis to its external opening called urethral meatus.(iii) The accessory glands of male reproductive system include(a) A pair of seminal vesicles, a prostate gland and a pair of bulbourethral glands (Cowpers glands).(b) The secretion of all these glands is called seminal plasma.(c) Seminal plasma contains fructose, calcium and some enzymes. It is to provide nutrition to the spermatozoa, while travelling through female reproductive tract.(d) Seminal plasma along with sperms is called semen.(e) Secretion of bulbourethral glands also helps in the lubrication of the penis.(iv) External genitalia is the penis. It is made up of special erectile tissue that helps in erection of the penis. The enlarged tip of the penis is called glans penis. It is covered by a loose fold of skin called foreskin or prepuce.3. Female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries, secondary sex organs, external genitalia and mammary glands.(i) Ovaries are primary female sex organs which produce female gametes called ova and secrete the female sex hormones.(a) These are located one on each side of the lower abdomen.(b) It is almond-shaped, 2-4 cm in length, 1.5 cm in width.(c) It is connected to the pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments.(d) Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the ovarian stroma.(e) Stroma is divided into two regions, i.e. peripheral cortex and inner medulla.(ii) The female accessory ducts constitute oviducts (Fallopian tubes), uterus and vagina.(iii) Each Fallopian tube is about 10-12 cm long and extends from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus.(a) The part of oviduct closer to the ovary is funnel-shaped infundibulum.(b) The edges of infundibulum possess finger-like projections called fimbriae, which help in collection of the ovum after ovulation.(c) Infundibulum leads to a wider part of the oviduct called ampulla.(d) Isthmus is the last part of the oviduct, which has a narrow lumen and it joins the uterus.(iv) Uterus or womb is a pear-shaped muscular organ. It is attached to the pelvic wall and supported by ligaments.(a) Wall of the uterus has three layers of tissue.(b) Perimetrium is the outermost thin membranous layer, myometrium is the middle thick layer of smooth muscles and endometrium is the innermost glandular layer which lines the uterine cavity.(c) Uterus opens into the vagina through a narrow cervix, its cavity is called cervical canal, which along with vagina forms birth canal.(d) Endometrium layer undergoes cyclic changes during menstrual cycle.(e) Smooth muscles in myometrium contract during parturition to deliver the baby.(v) Vagina is a muscular tube-like structure that opens to the outside. It receives spermatozoa during insemination and serve as birth canal.(vi) Female external genitalia include mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris and hymen.(a) Mons pubis is a cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair.(b) Labia majora are fleshy folds of tissue which extend down from the mons pubis and surround the vaginal opening.(c) Labia minora are paired folds of tissue under the labia majora.(d) Hymen is a membrane that covers the opening of vagina partially. It gets ruptured during vigorous physical activities or during the first coitus.(e) Clitoris is a tiny finger-like structure, which lies at the upper junction of the two labia minora above the urethral opening.(vii) Mammary glands (breasts) are paired structures that contain glandular tissue and variable amount of fat.(a) Glandular tissue of each mammary gland is divided into 15-20 mammary lobes containing the cluster of cells called alveoli.(b) The cells of alveoli secrete milk, which is stored in the cavities (lumen) of alveoli.(c) Alveoli open into mammary tubules. The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct.(d) Several mammary ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla, which is connected to lactiferous duct through which milk is sucked out.

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Human Reproduction CBSE Notes for Class 12 Biology

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 3 Human Reproduction is framed by subject experts and comprises detailed answers for reference. All the questions given in the exercises from the textbook are answered here. Students can refer to these answers to prepare for the board examinations. The answers provided in the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 are beneficial to enhance conceptual knowledge.

Chapter 3 Human Reproduction of Class 12 Biology is formulated according to the CBSE Syllabus for 2022-23. Solutions provided are solved skillfully with the use of student-friendly terminologies simultaneously aligning with the standards that are to be followed for solving the NCERT Solutions for Class 12. Practising these solutions can prove to be extremely beneficial not only from the board examination point of view, but can also help Class 12 students to outperform in the upcoming competitive examinations.

Exercise

1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) Humans reproduce _____________ (asexually/sexually)

(b) Humans are _____________ (oviparous, viviparous, ovoviviparous)

(c) Fertilisation is _____________ in humans (external/internal)

(d) Male and female gametes are _____________ (diploid/haploid)

(e) Zygote is _____________ (diploid/haploid)

(f) The process of release of ovum from a mature follicle is called _____________

(g) Ovulation is induced by a hormone called _____________

(h) The fusion of male and female gametes is called _____________

(i) Fertilisation takes place in _____________

(j) Zygote divides to form _____________which is implanted in uterus.

(k) The structure which provides vascular connection between foetus and uterus is called _______

Solution:

(a) Humans reproduce sexually.

(b) Humans are viviparous.

(c) Fertilisation is internal in humans

(d) Male and female gametes are haploid

(e) Zygote is diploid

(f) The process of release of ovum from a mature follicle is called ovulation

(g) Ovulation is induced by a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH)

(h) The fusion of male and female gametes is called fertilization

(i) Fertilisation takes place in ampulla of oviduct

(j) Zygote divides to form blastocyst which is implanted in uterus.

(k) The structure which provides vascular connection between foetus and uterus is called placenta

2. Draw a labelled diagram of male reproductive system.

Solution:

The diagram of male reproductive system is as follows:

3. Draw a labelled diagram of female reproductive system.

Solution:

The diagram of female reproductive system is as follows:

4. Write two major functions each of testis and ovary.

Solution:

Two major functions of each are as follows:

Testis:

Ovary:

5. Describe the structure of a seminiferous tubule.

Solution:

Structure of seminiferous tubules:

6. What is spermatogenesis? Briefly describe the process of spermatogenesis.

Solution:

The phenomena of sperm production from the immature germ cell in males is termed as spermatogenesis. The process occurs in the seminiferous tubules located inside the testes. In this process, a diploid male germ cell or spermatogonium enlarges (in size) for the formation of a diploid primary spermatocyte which inturn goes through the first meiotic division or meiosis I. This division is a reductional division for the formation of two equal haploid secondary spermatocytes, each of which further undergoes second meiotic division or meiosis II for the formation of two equal haploid spermatids.

Subsequently, four haploid spermatids are formed from a diploid spermatogonium. The spermatids hence produced alter to form spermatozoa(sperm) through the process of spermiogenesis.

7. Name the hormones involved in regulation of spermatogenesis.

Solution:

Some hormones involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis are as listed below:

8. Define spermiogenesis and spermiation.

Solution:

Spermiogenesis It is the phenomena of transformation of non-motile spermatids to mature, motile spermatozoa.

Spermiation It is the phenomena where mature spermatozoa are released from the Serotoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

9. Draw a labelled diagram of sperm.

Solution:

The diagram of sperm is as below:

10. What are the major components of seminal plasma?

Solution:

The major components of seminal plasma are:

11. What are the major functions of male accessory ducts and glands?

Solution:

The major functions of the male accessory ducts and glands are as follows:

12. What is oogenesis? Give a brief account of oogenesis.

Solution:

Ooogenesis is the phenomena of formation of haploid female gametes known as ova from diploid oogonia in the ovary, Graffian follicles, to be precise. This process is discontinuous which is initiated during the period of foetal development that is terminated only after puberty sets in.

The process of Oogenesis takes place in three phases:

Multiplicative phase

13. Draw a labelled diagram of a section through ovary.

Solution:

The diagram of a section of an ovary is as follows:

14. Draw a labelled diagram of a Graafian follicle.

Solution:

The diagram of a Graafian follicle is as follows:

15. Name the functions of the following:

(a) Corpus luteum (b) Endometrium

(c) Acrosome (d) Sperm tail

(e) Fimbriae

Solution:

The functions are as follows:

(a) Corpus luteum It is formed when the Graafian follicle ruptures. The corpus luteum secretes the hormone progesterone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. When progesterone is secreted in high levels, the secretion of LH and FSH is inhibited which further prevents ovulation. The corpus luteum facilitates the endometrium of the uterus to proliferate and prepare for the process of implantation.

(b) Endometrium as the name suggests, the endometrium is the innermost lining of the uterus comprising glands that undergoes cyclic changes during different stages of the menstrual cycle in order to prepare itself for the embryo-implantation process.

(c) Acrosome The acrosome is located in the anterior section of the head of the sperm, resembling a cap-like structure. It consists of the hyaluronidase enzyme that hydrolyses the outer membrane of the egg which facilitates the sperm to perforate through the egg during fertilization.

(d) Sperm tail the sperm tail makes up for the longest part of the sperm, enabling the movement of the sperm, once it has entered the female reproductive tract.

(e) Fimbriae Towards the ovarian end of the fallopian tube, finger-like projections emerge. These are the Fimbriae which assist in gathering the ovum after the ovulation process. This is facilitated by the beating of the cilia.

16. Identify True/False statements. Correct each false statement to make it true.

(a) Androgens are produced by Sertoli cells. (True/False)

(b) Spermatozoa get nutrition from Sertoli cells. (True/False)

(c) Leydig cells are found in the ovary. (True/False)

(d) Leydig cells synthesise androgens. (True/False)

(e) Oogenesis takes place in corpus luteum. (True/False)

(f) Menstrual cycle ceases during pregnancy. (True/False)

(g) Presence or absence of hymen is not a reliable indicator of virginity or sexual experience. (True/False)

Solution:

17. What is menstrual cycle? Which hormones regulate menstrual cycle?

Solution:

See the article here:
NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Biology Chapter 3 - Human Reproduction - BYJUS

Governor Murphy highlights budget investments in education

Governor Murphy highlights budget investments in education at a ribbon cutting in Passaic On Aug. 23, 2022.

Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com

New Jerseys school districts are getting creative about how they will teach sex education in state-mandated health classes this year as they try not to offend parents while adhering to the states requirements.

Some districts are bending the rules in the process and some are outright breaking them.

There is some wiggle room on how the state standards are taught because the state law leaves it to individual school districts to create their own curriculum, provided they comply with learning standards issued by the state Department of Education.

Related:School districts that don't teach new sex ed standards will be disciplined, state says

The state released a statement on Sept. 9 reminding school leaders that it is mandatory to implement standards and not doing so could result in disciplinary action.

An outcry from conservative groups that began in spring has carried into the fall as school districts begin to implement changes to sex education in the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education portion of the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The changes require students to be familiar with mature sexual terminology and introduce sex and gender at earlier grades than the previous 2014 standards.

Eighth graders, for example, are now expected to know definitions of vaginal, oral and anal sex, whereas earlier standards limited discussions to broader topics like sexual attraction, contraception and pregnancy. Fifth graders are expected to know the connection between sexual intercourse and human reproduction, whereas earlier standards discussedpuberty.

After a summer of heated and sometimes vicious school board meetings featuring hours-long presentations and question and answer sessions by tired administrators on what they propose to teach in health class, most communities now know what to expect. School boards are required to vote and approve all new curricula before they are taught in class.

Many districts, like Clifton, are following the law and implementing the health standards with detailed presentations to assuage parent concerns and outline what students will learn. Others, like Garwood and Millstone, appear to be ignoring the new health standards by teaching them partially, or leaving portions to be taught at home.

A May presentation at a Clifton school board meeting indicated the district would implement the standards while emphasizing abstinence (also required by law) and age-appropriate content. The presentation is available on the district's website at: https://www.clifton.k12.nj.us/domain/460

The presentation touched upon the most criticized changes in the 2020 health standards, including:

An age-appropriate example for meeting the requirement for second graders to be able to name human genitals would be to define the testicle as a male organ that produces cells. At higher grades, the definition would be expanded to say that the testicle also produces sperm.

The Clifton school district cited the American Academy of Pediatrics in its presentation, saying: in early childhood, parents can teach their children the name of the genitals, just as they teach their child names of other body parts. This teaches that the genitals, while private, are not so private that you cant talk about them."

The district addresses gender stereotyping in second grade, also a new requirement in the 2020 standards that right-wing activists have protested, using a two-minute Thomas The Train video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWkrQMVqB3s.

The entire lesson on social and sexual health in grades K-2 would last one class period, according to the Clifton presentation. The fifth-grade class on the same topic would also be only one class period. A class on mental and personal health would last one to two class periods. It would limit discussing gender identity and sexual orientation to definitions created by the Mayo Clinic, administrators said. Gender identity is how you feel while sexual orientation is who you love.

Clifton also addresses what is among the most controversial changes in the 2020 health standards for eighth graders by discussing anal, oral and vaginal sex from the lens of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.

Human sexuality topics always begin with ABSTINENCE. Here in Grade 8 we see minor changes to the standards. For example, we have taught that vaginal and oral sex can lead to contracting sexually transmitted infections and diseases as well as pregnancy. Anal sex has been added as there are misconceptions by young people that this is a safe method of sex. Our focus is on health to prevent STIs, STDs and Pregnancy, according to the districts website.

Some districts plan a safer route that involves parents while also complying with the law. The Hoboken school district said in April that it was considering hosting a family night to teach some of its health classes, by hosting adiscussion on social and sexual health for students in the fifth to seventh grades at an event open to parents and children. The district already uses this approach to discuss the Holocaust, allowing parents to log in remotely while those who choose not to attend are provided with other resources. It conducted one such family health night on May 12, where an expert talked families through topics in health. Superintendent Christine Johnson did not respond to comment for this story.

Garwood school districts K-8 health curriculum, approved on Aug. 16, does not address many of the changes to the 2020 health standards. For example, it mentions fertilization and pregnancy , but does not demonstrate the connection between sexual intercourse and human reproduction which the new standards require for fifth graders. The eighth-grade curriculum omits any mention of vaginal or other types of sex, but discusses gender identity and sexual orientation.

The districts curriculum guide reinforces its position on the states changes to sex education by linking to a resolution passed in May. That resolution says district schools would not adopt curriculum set forth by the 2020 health standards because doing so would allow the school district to demonstrate topics inclusive of sexual activity in classrooms.

Many elements of Millstone Townships Family Life lessons will be left for parents to teach at home, according to curriculum guides on the school districts website. For example, the entire topic of sexual intercourse leading to reproduction, sexual orientation and gender identity are excluded from in-class learning for fifth grade. Strategies used by sex traffickers and laws around consent that are designed to keep children safe from pornography are also excluded from instruction and described as At Home Learning Standard.

Parents can view a comparison between the 2020 and 2014 health standards using a document posted on Clifton's School District site at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YiRJGwyNwnkPQ51jql9-PU-6-Cv6vkMz/view.

See more here:
Here's how some NJ schools will teach sex education. Will they avoid state discipline? - NorthJersey.com

The Department of Health has not ruled out including the regulation of international surrogacy in the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill.

In a statement it said an inter-departmental group was established to review a special Oireachtas committee's report recommendations.

Earlier this year, the special committee was set up to examine how legal relationships could be established between children who have previously been born through surrogacy to Irish parents and those that will be born in the future.

In July, the committee published a report which was received by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly - who is the lead minister on the issue - Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, and Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman.

Today, the Department of Health said the clear intention of the group, and that of the three main Ministers concerned, was that the appropriate vehicle for accommodating legislative proposals in respect of international surrogacy would be through "the insertion of relevant provisions into the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 at Committee Stage".

The clarification comes after the Minister of State Mary Butler gave an update to the Seanad on behalf of the Department of Health.

She said the undertaking of surrogacy arrangements in other jurisdictions raised "complex ethical questions" concerning areas of law that intersect across the remits of several government departments.

She noted that there was no international consensus or multi-lateral instrument on the issue but pointed out that an expert group appointed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law would report next year, following a formal study of the private international law issues being encountered.

Senator Mary Seery-Kearney said it was "unacceptable" that after all the work that had been done that "all they're doing is developing a policy position".

The department has said that any policy and legislative proposals that may arise following the completion of the departments' examination of the committees recommendations will require consideration and approval by Government.

Continue reading here:
Committee report on surrogacy examined by health dept - RTE.ie

Published 8:30 pm Friday, September 23, 2022

To the Editor:

On Sept. 15, I had the opportunity to attend Virginia Organizing Grassroot Gathering Reproductive Justice workshop. There were about 40 people at the workshop. One of the questions was: What does reproductive justice look like to you? The answer was the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.

Ever since Roe vs. Wade was overturned, Im trying to wrap my head around the fact that courts and politicians would interfere with women making decisions about reproduction.

Even through Virginia has abortion laws that support women if they want to have an abortion. What about other women in other states that have made it illegal for abortion. Did you know our own Gov. Glenn Youngkin has stated his support for a 15-week abortion ban and put together a work group to draft and carry the bill in the 2023 session? He further said he will sign any bill banning abortion that makes it to his desk whether a 15-week ban, 20-week ban, or an absolute ban.

Im glad we have Rep. Elaine Luria representing the women in my district. She is for women making their own decision about abortion. I never thought I would see this day. Thank you for being the womens voice in a time like this.

Cleo Johnson

Virginia Organizing

Chapter leader for Suffolk

See the rest here:
Letter - Landscape has changed for women on reproductive issues - The Suffolk News-Herald - Suffolk News-Herald