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The decision in Roe v. Wade is significant because it established a woman's legal right to have an abortion, effectively limiting the ability of state governments to impose restrictions on this right during the first trimester of pregnancy. This landmark ruling interpreted the right to privacy, which is inferred from the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, as encompassing a woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy.

By prioritizing individual rights over state regulations, the Supreme Court effectively curtailed the authority of states to legislate in matters of personal health and family planning. This case underscored the influence of the federal judicial system in protecting individual liberties against state infringements, thereby reinforcing the notion that certain fundamental rights cannot be violated by state governments. This dynamic highlights the balance of power between federal and state authority, illustrating how Supreme Court rulings can shape the landscape of governance and individual rights within the United States.