APS Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

The American Physiological Society is deeply troubled by the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The decision upends a nearly half-century old precedent that has been continually reaffirmed by the Court, eliminates an established human right for the first time in our history, and places safe reproductive health care out of reach for many women in the nation.

The mission of the American Physiological Society is to “advance scientific discovery, understand life, and improve health.” As a community of scientists that includes a significant number of medical school educators and reproductive health researchers, we believe that health care decisions should be based on science and evidence within the context of a patient/physician relationship. This is especially true for reproductive health decisions, which are intensely personal and often complex.

For women in science, the decisions of when and whether to have children can affect career trajectory, tenure and promotion, and leadership opportunities. And while many people within the STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine) community are working hard to correct these inequities today, the playing field is still not level for women in science. We believe broad access to reproductive care, and the ability to make decisions regarding personal reproductive health care, are necessary for achieving gender equity for women pursuing scientific careers.