Republican Gov. Gary Herbert has approved a bill that makes Utah the first state to require doctors to give anesthesia to women having an abortion at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later.
The proposal is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that point.
Many doctors in Utah and throughout the country are concerned that the plan could pose a risk to women because fetal anesthesia is unnecessary.
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Supporters of the law say a fetus should be protected if there's even a chance it can feel pain.