Special and Informative Panel Discussion Focused on Cutting-edge Issues in Women's Reproductive Rights.
January 22, 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade. To celebrate this milestone, WLALA’s Pro-Choice and Reproductive Rights Committee will be honoring the incredible advances made possible by the freedoms established by Roe, by presenting a special and informative panel discussion focused on cutting-edge issues in women’s reproductive rights. Join us on February 25, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as we enjoy heavy appetizers and desserts, and discuss the law, medicine, and pro-choice policy considerations of in-vitro fertilization, egg, sperm and embryo donations, surrogacy, and other technological advances helping women achieve their family goals.
Our distinguished panelists will discuss the latest developments in family formation technology and fertility medicine, legal issues relating to surrogacy and genetic donor agreements, the threat that anti-choice laws pose to these medical advances, and the overall dichotomy between a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion and a woman’s right to choose to have a baby utilizing cutting-edge technology such as egg and embryo donation, surrogacy, and IVF. In addition, the panel will discuss Planned Parenthood’s on-the-ground efforts to combat the recent tide of anti-choice legislation by educating the public on the connection between anti-choice laws and family formation rights.
The panelists include:
Nurit Winkler, M.D.
Dr. Winkler is board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology as well as Reproductive Endocrinology, and practices at the Center for Fertility and Gynecology in Tarzana (“CFG”). CFG is the largest fertility center in the San Fernando Valley. Dr. Winkler completed her residency at Brown University School of Medicine where she earned multiple teaching and research awards. She completed three years of fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, conducting cutting edge research in the field of reproduction with special interest in ovarian aging and fertility treatments. In 2011, Dr. Winkler was awarded “Patient Choice Award,” “Compassionate Physician Award” and “American Top OB/GYN.”
Rose Keston Pondel, Esq.
Ms. Keston is an attorney and the founder of theFamilyFormationLawCenter, located in Santa Monica. Her practice focuses on family formation and reproductive matters including adoption, surrogacy, egg donation, embryo disposition and donation, and sperm donation. Ms. Keston provides legal services and representation to potential parents, surrogates, and donors through all aspects of the process.
Serena Josel.
Ms. Josel is the Director of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and Deputy Director of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County. In her current positions, Ms. Josel oversees Planned Parenthood’s communications and advocacy work in Los Angeles, as well as lending support to colleagues in targeted states. Since joining Planned Parenthood in 2005, she has worked to defeat anti-choice ballot measures and protect women’s health in California, Alaska, Nevada,Illinois, Virginia, and Mississippi. Ms. Josel will speak in part about PPLA’s experience defeating anti-choice measures such as “personhood” initiatives by emphasizing the impact those measures would have on women’s reproductive options in forming a family. For example, in connection with a recent “personhood” initiative in Mississippi (which was defeated), PPLA and others emphasized that if life begins at conception, then doctors may be deterred from performing IVF because they would fear criminal charges if an embryo did not survive. Thus “pro-choice” – 40 years after Roe v. Wade – is not just about a woman’s right to an abortion, but also about a woman’s right to choose to utilize existing cutting-edge medical technology in order to form a family.
The program will take place at the new headquarters of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles in downtownLos Angeles. Space is limited for this event, so register early!