Jan. 19, 1998 NEWS TIP SHEET News item: Thursday, Jan. 22, marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. University of Virginia Experts *Paul Freedman, assistant professor of government and foreign affairs. Wrote his dissertation on public opinion and the abortion debate, now teaches classes in public opinion and political behavior and on research methods. Current research focuses on the implications of different ways of framing the abortion issue for public opinion. "Abortion is one of a handful of issues which reminds us that fundamental differences continue to divide us as a society. At the same time, a large portion of the public remains deeply ambivalent about many aspects of the issue," he said. Freedman can be reached at his office, (804) 924-1372, or via e-mail at freedman@virginia.edu *John D. Arras, Porterfield Professor of Biomedical Ethics. For seven years was a member of the New York State Task Force on Life and the Law and has lectured and taught extensively on reproductive issues, including a current seminar on reproductive ethics. He says that the original Roe decision had a shaky start, but "its central thrust makes for sound ethics and sound law." He adds that the recent Casey decision, which emphasizes the element of social justice or equality more than Roe's privacy element, has strengthened the argument for abortion rights. "I think the most fruitful way to understand this concept is negatively; that is, to think of what women's lives would be like without this right," he said. "The sort of tyranny this would impose on women is something that men would never accept for themselves. "Arras may be reached at (804) 924-7863 or 924-6927 (office); (804) 970-1712 (home); or via e-mail at jda3a@virginia.edu *Pamela S. Karlan, Roy L. & Rosamond Woodruff Margan Research Professor of Law. Clerked for Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun in 1985-96. Has performed extensive pro bono work on behalf of reproductive rights groups. Has received several prestigious teaching awards and was named one of 45 "young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives" by American Lawyer in its Jan./Feb. 1997 issue. She may be reached at (804) 924-7810 (work); (804) 295-5187 (home); or via e-mail at psk7e@virginia.edu ### U.Va. news online: http://www.virginia.edu/topnews