A controversial bill aimed at redefining constitutional protections under the 14th Amendment to include preborn human beings has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Titled the “Life at Conception Act,” the legislation seeks to establish that the right to life extends to all human beings from the moment of fertilization.

The bill, officially designated as H.R. 722, by Representative Eric Burlison (R-MO) and co-sponsored by over 60 Republican lawmakers. It has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

The “Life at Conception Act” declares that every human being, born or preborn, is entitled to equal protection under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, it asserts that:

• The right to life is vested in every member of the species Homo sapiens from “all stages of life,” including fertilization, cloning, or any other point at which an individual comes into existence.
• The term “State,” as used in constitutional amendments and laws, includes not only U.S. states but also territories such as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
• The bill states that it does not authorize prosecuting women for the death of their unborn children.

The introduction of H.R. 722 reflects ongoing efforts by conservative lawmakers to address abortion policy following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned federal abortion protections and returned regulatory authority to individual states. The bill aligns with a broader push among Republican legislators to establish federal standards on abortion and fetal rights.

As of March 2025, twelve U.S. states have implemented total abortion bans, prohibiting the procedure in nearly all circumstances. Additionally, six other states enforce early gestational limits, banning abortion at stages between six and twelve weeks of pregnancy.

Opponents of H.R. 722 emphasize that abortion bans and restrictions are linked to worsening maternal health outcomes. States with restrictive abortion laws tend to have higher maternal mortality rates compared to states with protective policies. For instance, maternal mortality rates in restrictive states are nearly 52% higher than in states that safeguard abortion access (24.2 vs. 15.9 deaths per 100,000 live births). These disparities are particularly pronounced among Black women, who face significantly higher risks in states with abortion bans.

Additionally, research shows that pregnancies carried to term under duress—such as when abortion is sought but denied—are associated with increased risks of complications, delays in care, and even fatalities. A study projected that a nationwide abortion ban could lead to an additional 210 maternal deaths annually.

Abortion restrictions also carry significant economic costs for women and society at large. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), such restrictions cost the U.S. economy $173 billion annually due to reduced educational attainment, lower lifetime earnings, and poorer outcomes for children. Women denied abortions are more likely to experience poverty and financial instability, which disproportionately affects economically vulnerable groups.

The bill’s definition of human life beginning at conception raises concerns about its impact on in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Critics argue that granting constitutional rights to embryos could jeopardize fertility treatments by criminalizing the destruction or storage of unused embryos—a routine part of IVF procedures. Following a similar ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court in 2024, some IVF clinics paused services due to legal uncertainty. Fertility advocates warn that regulations stemming from fetal personhood laws could reduce IVF effectiveness and increase costs for patients.

Moreover, research indicates that abortion bans disproportionately affect survivors of sexual violence. In states with bans, an estimated 64,565 pregnancies result from rape annually, leaving survivors with limited options for care.

A Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of Americans favor access to abortion in cases of pregnancy-related emergencies (88%) or when pregnancies result from rape or incest. Furthermore, voters across political lines have consistently supported measures protecting abortion rights since the fall of Roe v. Wade.