A clump of cells is now considered a child in Alabama. I don’t think parents struggling with infertility are looking for a clump of cells to name. My mom and dad weren’t.
Parents aren’t looking for a clump of cells to celebrate birthdays with. My mom and dad weren’t.
Parents aren’t looking to fill out a birth certificate for a clump of cells. My mom and dad weren’t.
I am a product of in vitro fertilization (IVF). My triplet brothers wouldn’t be here if my parents didn’t do IVF. My older brother wouldn’t be here if my parents didn’t do IVF.
My parents got married in 1992 and didn’t have their first child until 2001. For almost ten years my parents struggled with infertility. It wasn’t until they tried IVF they were able to have their first child. Then in 2004 they used IVF again. This time the three embryos that were used all survived and my parents were granted triplets (and a two-year-old at home).
Many people struggle with infertility and because of modern medicine there are fertility treatments and IVF available so they can have children. IVF may counter traditional standards as to how you are supposed to have a kid, but it serves as a lifeline for so many families who want children of their own.
Without IVF, my parents’ dreams of having children would have gone a lot differently.
The recent decision of Alabama’s Supreme Court that embryos used in the IVF process are considered children and individuals could be held liable for destroying them. This may harm the future of IVF.
Alabama has since created legislation stating that legal immunity will be provided if a “death or damage to an embryo” occurs. Until the bill is passed, it seems that IVF will be protected but since there is more leverage surrounding the topic there are concerns for the future.
First of all, does Alabama teach science in its school? Because it seems as if the Chief Justice Tom Parker didn’t get a fully rounded education. Instead, the basis of his decision was impacted by God and scripture, not science. Should we remind him that IVF is performed in a lab and not in a church?
“We believe that each human being from the moment of conception, is made in the image of God, created by Him to reflect His likeness,” Parker said. “It is as if the People of Alabama took what was spoken of the prophet Jeremiah, and applied it to every unborn person in the state.”
When was a requirement to be a Chief Justice to also be a priest?
Yes, the three families who filed the lawsuit should be outraged that their frozen embryos were destroyed by another person. They deserve to win that side of the case. Why should they decide for the state of Alabama when the chances of that occurrence happening again are so small.
It’s not just Alabama’s IVF centers that are affected by this decision. This also gives people involved in anti-abortion movements more leverage in the post-Roe era to push for more bills supporting pro-life movements.
The president of an anti-abortion group called Live Action, Lila Rose, said “Each person, from the tiniest embryo to an elder nearing the end of his life, has incalculable value that deserves and is guaranteed legal protection.”
So how far will our country go to say whether something is considered life or not? Why aren’t we asking doctors or scientists to make these decisions? Unqualified people with their own intentions are making decisions for thousands of people.
Sitting here, I am shocked at what the U.S. has become. We are leaders of modern medicine and for some reason we are taking multiple steps back because of an interpretation of a law from 1872.
There is no growth in that. How are we supposed to cure cancer? Cure medical mysteries? It seems like some of our courts want to go back in time to the 1800s.
No matter what, people who want to have children should have the opportunity to do so. Likewise, people who do not want children should have the opportunity to do so.
I’m so sick of seeing more and more court decisions and legislation that has no place even being discussed in state and federal governments. Alabama’s Supreme Court made the wrong decision and if the majority of the U.S. doesn’t see the problem in that then we are truly way worse than I thought.