Karen Handel Responds to Georgia Right To Life False Attack

"Barren" Woman Comment Insulting to Women Everywhere Group Issues Made-Up Quote, Lists Other Candidates as Supporting Ban On In-Vitro Fertilization

Former Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel responded today to a Georgia Right to Life attack on her pro-life position in which the group fabricated a quote to support their decision not to endorse her and even called her a "barren" woman.

The group claims that Karen told them that she "does not believe that an embryonic human is a child." That is false. In fact, Karen does believe that an embryonic human is a child. Further, no one ever asked Karen this question, and if they had, they would know this.

GRTL's real problem with Karen is twofold: First, they disagree with her stance regarding exceptions to an abortion ban in cases of rape and incest. Secondly, Karen opposes the group's push to ban in-vitro fertilization, which has helped so many couples realize their dream of having children. The group has proposed legislation to virtually eliminate in-vitro. In a meeting with Karen, the group's leadership told her directly that fertility treatments are immoral and that their goal is to completely ban the procedure.

Dan Becker, the President of Georgia Right to Life even went so far as to say of Karen "Someone's desperate right to parenthood – because they're infertile, they're barren, whatever term you want to use – is an emotionally fraught subject that has our highest sympathy."

GRTL did endorse all of Karen's opponents and praised them for their opposition to rape and incest exceptions and their support for banning in-vitro fertilization. They are welcome to their position and will have to explain it to the voters in July.

They will also have to explain signing a statement vowing to protect life until "natural death" which is in clear opposition to the death penalty which Karen strongly supports.

The following is a statement from Karen on today's GRTL press release:

"My husband Steve and I tried for nearly ten years to have children. It is the single greatest disappointment in my life, and I can say with certainty that no one in this race cherishes human life more than I do. I am saddened that this group would resort to fabricating quotes and distorting my beliefs. I shared very personal information with the group's leadership, and they are well aware of my true beliefs. I am dismayed and very disappointed by their actions.

"I believe that life does indeed begin at conception, that an embryo is a life, and that an unborn child is a human life. While I oppose all abortions, I believe that, in addition to GRTL's exception for life of the mother, there should also be exceptions for rape and incest.

"Further, I am absolutely opposed to severely limiting fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization, and am saddened that my opponents appear to support. Tens of thousands of couples have been able to have children through fertility assistance. Their lives have been blessed by miracle of birth and enriched by the blessings that children uniquely have added to their lives.

Additionally, the Handel campaign provided the following perspective from a former director of GRTL:

"Karen is a loyal and trusted friend to conservatives in the pro-life, pro-family movement in Georgia. As Secretary of State she championed conservative causes like Photo ID and proof of citizenship for voting. I'm supporting Karen because I believe she will be a pro-life, pro-family, conservative Governor." -- Adrianne Susong, Former Director, Georgia Right to Life Committee

Karen is strongly pro-life. She has supported every new law passed in Georgia limiting abortions including informed consent, parental notification, waiting periods, etc. To suggest otherwise for political motivations is transparent and wrong.