Mississippi voters decide fertilised eggs are not people

Voters in Mississippi have rejected an amendment to the state constitution that would have defined a fertilised egg as a person. The amendment would have outlawed abortion, many forms of contraception, stem cell research, cast doubt on in vitro fertilisation, and challenged the legality of abortion in the United States.

On 8 November the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, the state capital, reported that with 92% of voting districts reporting, the vote was 59% against the proposed amendment and 41% in favour.

The Mississippi vote was a widely watched attempt by abortion opponents …