In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen is joined by Professor Michele Goodwin, a leading bioethicist and constitutional law scholar at Georgetown Law, to unpack the history, law, and power structures shaping reproductive rights in America.
Goodwin challenges the assumption that abortion criminalization has always been the norm, tracing its roots to the U.S. Civil War and the political battle over slavery. She explains why the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade wasn't simply a return to democratic decision-making, why abortion is medically far safer than pregnancy itself, and why today's map of abortion bans mirrors the map of the former Confederacy. The conversation also covers the criminalization of pregnancy and motherhood, the disproportionate targeting of Black women by law enforcement, the shifting legal question of fetal personhood, and the Supreme Court's inconsistent treatment of bodily autonomy depending on race and gender.
Key topics discussed:
- Why abortion criminalization has political, not purely moral or medical, origins
- Why Dobbs wasn't simply "returning the issue to democracy"
- The medical reality of pregnancy, viability, and abortion safety
- The criminalization and policing of pregnant women, particularly Black women
- When and how personhood and citizenship are legally defined
- The Supreme Court's inconsistent treatment of bodily autonomy across race and gender
This episode is relevant to anyone interested in law, human rights, public health, race, democracy, or international risk.
The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.
Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders.
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