The Alabama House and Senate passed a bill Thursday protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF) after the Supreme Court reportedly ruled last Friday that frozen embryos are “children outside the womb.” did.
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos destroyed during in vitro fertilization, in which eggs are fertilized and transferred to women with fertility issues, should be considered human life. This led to several IVF clinics closing for fear of legal issues. The ruling sparked outrage in Republican circles, with politicians including South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace and former President Donald Trump actively speaking out against it. “We want to make it easier, not harder, for mothers and fathers to have babies.” Trump said In a post on Truth Social. “This includes supporting the availability of infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization in every state in the United States.” (Related: Medical experts and Republicans face new challenges after red state Supreme Court's fetal ruling)
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 94-6 to “bring no suit, proceeding, or criminal prosecution against any person or entity for damage to or death of embryos when providing or receiving goods or services related to in vitro fertilization.'' Passed a bill that states, “No one shall be allowed to maintain or maintain the…” pic.twitter.com/o9qcc4EDzM
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) February 29, 2024
As a result of this backlash, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill giving legal protections to IVF clinics. “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,” this bill said“A person or entity providing services related to in vitro fertilization shall have criminal and civil immunity so long as the person or entity follows generally accepted practices in providing in vitro fertilization services.”
The lower chamber is reportedly I voted It also passed in the Senate by a vote of 94-6. Democrats reportedly criticized the fact that the bill does not clarify whether embryos created through in vitro fertilization are treated as children under Alabama law. according to Go to NBC News. The bill is scheduled to be repealed within 13 months unless further steps are taken to extend it.
