Court Opinion

ID: 9773778
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:58:05.514698+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:57.250975
License: Public Domain

Justice Stevens,
dissenting.
Whether an undue burden has been imposed on the exercise of a constitutional right depends on the relative significance of the burden, on the one hand, and the governmental interest at stake, on the other.
In this case, applicant Benten’s constitutionally protected interest in liberty has two components — her decision to terminate the pregnancy and her decision concerning the method of doing so. The Government does not assert any interest in, or right to, burden the former decision. The Government does, however, assert an interest in the latter *1086by protecting Benten from taking medication under the supervision of her doctor instead of undergoing an invasive surgical procedure. In view of the Government’s “personal use exception” policy, expressed in the Federal Drug Administration’s February 1,1989, revision of its Regulatory Procedures Manual,* the only legitimate governmental interest that is now relevant is the interest in avoiding any “significant health risk” associated with the use of this medication when prescribed by a competent physician. There is no evidence in this record that Benten faces any such risk; indeed, on the specific facts of this case, the Government’s purported interest actually supports her position. In all events, I am persuaded that the relevant legitimate federal interest is not sufficient to justify the burdensome consequence of this seizure.
Accordingly, I would grant the application.

The Regulatory Procedures Manual provides in pertinent part as follows:
“In deciding whether to exercise discretion to allow personal shipments of drugs or devices, FDA personnel should consider a more permissive policy in the following situations:
“when the intended use is appropriately identified, such use is not for treatment of a serious condition, and the product is not known to represent a significant health risk.” Ch. 9-71-30(C).