Which statement accurately reflects Roe v. Wade's holding?

• A. Abortion is illegal in all circumstances.
• B. The right to abortion is grounded in privacy, and states may regulate abortion (including banning in some circumstances) but with growing restrictions as pregnancy progresses.
• C. Abortion is allowed only in the first trimester without restrictions.
• D. The decision did not address privacy.

Answer: (B)

Roe v. Wade centers on the idea that the right to abortion is rooted in a constitutional right to privacy protected by the due process clause. It holds that individuals have a liberty to choose an abortion, but the state may regulate abortions as pregnancy progresses, with the restrictions tightening as the pregnancy advances and viability becomes a key milestone. The framework Roe set up is that in the first trimester the state cannot ban abortions; in the second trimester the state may regulate abortions in ways related to maternal health; after viability the state may prohibit abortions except to protect the life or health of the mother. The statement selected reflects this balance by tying the right to privacy to abortion and noting that states may regulate, including banning in some circumstances, with increasing restrictions as pregnancy progresses. The other options misstate Roe’s holding: abortion is not illegal in all circumstances; it isn’t restricted to the first trimester without any regulation; and the decision does address privacy.