Why it Matters to Integrate Prenatal Sciences in Legal Practice

THE BENEFITS

Integrating prenatal science into a legal practice can provide important insights and knowledge that can be valuable in a range of areas, including penal law, family law, divorce, adoption, custody, inheritance, and other related fields. Here are some potential benefits that integrating prenatal science into a legal practice can provide:

1. Understanding the impact of prenatal exposures on behavior and development: A growing body of research suggests that prenatal exposures to maternal or paternal stress as well as substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can have significant impacts on brain development, behavior, and long-term outcomes (Famy, Streissguth, & Unis, 1998). Understanding these impacts can be critical in legal cases where individuals may have been exposed to extreme stress or toxic/harmful substances in utero and may be facing legal challenges as a result.
2. Understanding the role of prenatal stress in the primal period: Pre/ Perinatal stress especially rejection of existence or identity aspects for the new entity in gestation or neglect and/or abuse has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including criminal behavior, extreme violence as the person grows up- and  unfortunately the news is full of juvenile delinquents-  increased risk of mental health problems, and impaired cognitive development (Copper et al., 2015). As a judge/lawyer, understanding the role of pre/perinatal stress can be valuable in legal cases where stressors may have impacted development or behavior.
3. Identifying potential legal challenges related to prenatal issues: Understanding the impact of prenatal exposures, stress, and other factors on behavior and development can be critical in identifying potential legal challenges related to prenatal issues. For example, understanding the impact of prenatal substance exposure can be important in cases related to child welfare, custody, and adoption.
4. At the same time, those in positions to make decisions ie judges will have the opportunity to realize the importance of looking after and supporting women and babies and in general family systems especially in the critical periods of life so that the epigenetic mechanisms which anyway will be in place can lead to the emergence of the optimum information, minimizing the detrimental ones that could also manifest and become genetics later on, thus supporting the whole society.
5. They can submit proposals for amendment of existing laws and regulations so that the impact of the historical, social, ancestral, familial and pre/perinatal trauma can be minimized if not balanced, giving human life a better chance.

THEIR WORK IS DIFFERENT 

Integrating prenatal sciences into a legal practice can provide judges/lawyers with a unique perspective on legal issues related to prenatal development and child welfare, and may lead to more effective and informed legal strategies. Here are some ways in which your practice may differ from that of other lawyers who have not integrated prenatal sciences into their profession:

1. Awareness of prenatal risk factors: By integrating prenatal science into your practice, you will have a greater understanding of the risk factors that can impact prenatal development and child outcomes. This awareness may lead to more effective legal strategies and better outcomes for clients.
2. Informed counsel: Lawyers who integrate prenatal sciences into their practice can provide informed counsel to clients on issues related to prenatal exposures, stress, rejection, neglect, abandonment and/ or abuse or other factors e.g. adoption, institutionalization, custody etc. that impact child development. This may also include providing advice on healthy choices or behaviors during pregnancy, identifying potential legal challenges related to prenatal issues, and helping clients navigate the legal system with greater understanding.
3. Specialized knowledge of child development: Integrating prenatal sciences into your practice can provide you with specialized knowledge of child development that may be particularly relevant in cases related to custody, adoption, or child welfare. This knowledge can help you to better advocate for the interests of children and promote their healthy development.
4. Effective advocacy in legal proceedings: By integrating prenatal sciences into your practice, you may be better equipped to present evidence and arguments related to prenatal development and child welfare in legal proceedings. This may include presenting expert testimony, using scientific research to support legal arguments, and developing more effective legal strategies that take into account the unique needs and circumstances of each client.

Overall, integrating prenatal sciences into your legal practice can provide you with a unique perspective on legal issues related to prenatal development and child welfare, and may lead to more effective and informed legal strategies. By having a specialized understanding of prenatal risk factors and child development, you may be able to provide more effective counsel and advocacy for your clients in legal proceedings related to child welfare, custody, and adoption.

WHAT IF PEOPLE IN LEGAL PRACTICE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PRENATE IS A SENTIENT BEING?

If you integrate the understanding that embryos and fetuses are sentient beings who are affected by their intrauterine and extrauterine environments, your legal practice may differ from your colleagues in several ways. Here are some potential differences:

1. Understanding the impact of prenatal exposures: By recognizing the sentience of embryos and fetuses, you will have a greater appreciation for the impact of prenatal exposures on child development. This may include exposure to substances such as alcohol or drugs, as well as experiences of stress or trauma. Understanding the impact of these factors can help you to better advocate for the interests of children in cases related to child welfare, adoption, or custody.
2. Consideration of prenatal development in legal decisions: By recognizing the sentience of embryos and fetuses, you may be more likely to consider the potential impact of legal decisions on prenatal development. This could include decisions related to custody, adoption, or termination of parental rights. By taking into account the unique needs and circumstances of embryos and fetuses, you may be able to make more informed legal decisions that prioritize their welfare.
3. Advocacy for the rights of embryos and fetuses: By recognizing the sentience of embryos and fetuses, you may be more likely to advocate for their rights in legal proceedings. This could include advocating for the right to life, the right to a healthy intrauterine environment, or the right to be protected from harm. By advocating for the interests of embryos and fetuses, you may be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

Overall, recognizing the sentience of embryos and fetuses can lead to a legal practice that is more informed, compassionate, and effective in advocating for the interests of vulnerable children. In a more expanded way, this will embrace the support of parents and the whole family system, a crucial aspect especially in societies with high criminality and domestic violence rates. By understanding the impact of prenatal exposures, considering the needs of embryos and fetuses in legal decisions, and advocating for the rights of all involved, professionals involved in the legal practices may be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people all over.

PROFESSIONALS IN THE LEGAL PRACTICE MATTER

Legal professionals work within the framework of laws and regulations to protect human and civil rights and ensure justice. All of them are necessary as they secure the healthy context in which human development can take place and peace and civilization can be the main trait. They serve as guardians of justice and advocates for the vulnerable. By integrating the key findings of prenatal sciences into their practice, they become champions of the rights and well-being of expectant parents and their unborn children. Legal professionals have the power to shape policies, defend rights, and foster a society that recognizes the inherent value of prenatal life. Through their dedication, legal professionals nurture a world where the protection and support of the prenatal realm are enshrined in laws and regulations, ensuring that every child is given the opportunity to thrive and flourish. Thus, they

• Advocate for legal protections and rights for expectant parents and unborn children.
• Represent clients in cases involving prenatal health, reproductive rights, and parental rights.
• Stay informed about existing laws related to prenatal care, adoption, surrogacy, and reproductive technologies.
• Collaborate with policymakers and advocacy groups to shape legislation promoting the well-being of expectant parents and their children.
• Offer legal guidance and support to individuals navigating complex legal matters related to prenatal experiences which have impacted their childhood and adulthood.

REFERENCES

• Johnson, K. C., LaGasse, L. L., & Lester, B. M. (2006). Prenatal drug exposure and child development. Pediatrics, 118(6), 2431-2441.
• ACOG Committee on Ethics. (2013). The limits of conscientious refusal in reproductive medicine. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 122(5), 1134-1137.
• Dickens, B. M., & Cook, R. J. (2015). Abortion law and human rights. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 131(Suppl 3), S7-S10
• Paulson, J. F., Keefe, H. A., & Leiferman, J. A. (2009). Early parental depression and child language development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(3), 254-262.
• Hagan, J. F., Shaw, J. S., & Duncan, P. M. (Eds.). (2017). Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics.