After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are children, a major medical center in the state has put in vitro fertilization procedures on hold as it examines the ruling’s impact.
Meanwhile, the pro-life movement is weighing in on the ruling’s effect on their efforts to protect unborn lives by limiting abortion.
The high court’s decision is unprecedented. The justices ruled that under state law, frozen embryos qualify as people, stating, “Unborn children are children.. without exception based on developmental stage.”
“We’re concerned that this ruling has far-reaching consequences for what we feel is safe to freeze and safe to discard,” said Dr. Mamie McLean of Alabama Fertility.
The court’s decision could hinder patients’ access to fertility treatments. The justices found three couples can sue for wrongful death after their embryos were accidentally destroyed.
The president of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition says the court got it right.
“I think they did, and I think most of the pro-life community would agree that that is a correct decision,” Eric Johnston said. “It’s something that has been discussed from time to time, but this issue is really a new issue.”
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