After the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, red states raced to restrict abortion, such as Florida’s new ban after six weeks of pregnancy. It was expected that the number of abortions in the U.S. would decline, but instead, it appears to have slightly increased. One factor contributing to this increase is the availability of abortion pills prescribed online, now making up one in six abortions. This trend highlights how the combination of new technology, such as the internet, and old technology, like the mail, has made it easier for Americans to bypass laws they disagree with. This phenomenon extends beyond abortion to other issues, such as the shipment of fentanyl from China and India, and the creation of untraceable firearms known as ghost guns using online parts or 3-D printers.
The proliferation of new workarounds facilitated by technology has led to significant changes in various areas. For instance, nearly two-thirds of abortions are now carried out using pills, compared to just over half in 2020. The spread of fentanyl has resulted in overdose deaths more than doubling in the U.S. since 2014, while the number of ghost guns seized at crime scenes has increased tenfold from 2016 to 2021. Despite efforts to stop shipments of abortion pills, fentanyl, and ghost gun parts, officials struggle with the sheer volume of mail entering the country daily, making enforcement challenging.
States face obstacles in intercepting mail containing abortion pills, as the federal government controls the U.S. Postal Service and regulates the mail. While the Biden administration supports access to abortion pills through the mail, it aims to combat the supply of fentanyl and ghost guns. States with abortion bans may attempt to target those sending mail, but legal protections for abortion providers in other states hinder this approach. The uneven access to new technologies underscores how some individuals may circumvent restrictions more easily than others, potentially exacerbating existing disparities in access to healthcare, such as in the case of Florida’s six-week abortion ban affecting individuals in the region.
The implementation of Florida’s six-week abortion ban exemplifies the disparate impact of restrictive laws on individuals depending on their resources and access to technology. While some women can now access abortion pills online with a few clicks, others may struggle due to limited internet access or financial constraints. The ban has forced individuals in Florida and across the South to travel longer distances for abortions, particularly impacting those unable to take time off work or afford the necessary trip expenses. The varying effects of new technologies on different groups underscore the complexity of enforcing legislation and ensuring equitable access to reproductive healthcare.
As technology continues to evolve and provide new pathways for individuals to navigate legal restrictions, the enforcement of laws on issues like abortion, fentanyl, and ghost guns faces significant challenges. Efforts to regulate these technologies and prevent illegal activities often fall short due to the sheer volume of mail entering the country daily and the limitations in inspection tools. The tension between technological advancements and regulatory frameworks highlights the need for innovative solutions to address these complex issues and ensure fair and consistent enforcement of laws across different states.
