Alabama university pauses IVF care after frozen embryos deemed 'children'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Wed 21 Feb 2024 15.13 EST


A medical school in Alabama has paused in vitro fertilization procedures in the wake of the first-of-its-kind decision made by the state’s supreme court on Friday, which ruled that frozen embryos are “children”. The decision has been widely seen as one that would have serious implications for people seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technology treatments.

On Wednesday, spokesperson Savannah Koplon said on behalf of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a research university and academic medical center that is also the largest healthcare provider in the state, that the institution was “saddened that this will impact our patients’ attempt to have a baby through IVF, but we must evaluate the potential that our patients and our physicians could be prosecuted criminally or face punitive damages for following the standard of care for IVF treatments”.

“The UAB Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility has paused in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments as it evaluates the Alabama supreme court’s decision that a cryopreserved embryo is a human being,” a statement said.

The statement also emphasized that solely IVF treatment is paused. “Everything through egg retrieval remains in place. Egg fertilization and embryo development is paused,” it read. The university notably houses a division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/21/university-alabama-ivf-embryo-care-paused-supreme-court-ruling

[Freethinker65]

1. And here we go.

These stupid rulings by ignorant religious zealot conservative asshole judges have consequences beyond the initial rulings.

I want a tax refund for the miscarriages I suffered that I was unable to declare as dependents. No, not really. Because I am not insane.

[Lovie777]

2. Oh well............................

[iluvtennis]

3. I would of never been able to have my twin daughters without IVF. Embryos are not 'children'.. The court's

ruling is asinine.

[tanyev]

5. There must be lots of Republicans that have used IVF, too.

And I doubt that all of them believe this embryos are babies BS. Hopefully this will peel off some votes.

[Docreed2003]

4. Just wait...with the logic of this ruling,

It's not a stretch to see they will come after birth control regimens next.

[Old Okie]

6. Contraception

Having a period and male masturbation are now infanticide!!!!!

[Docreed2003]

10. My best friend and I were talking about this case and he legit said

"Remind me not to ever masturbate if I'm in Alabama...don't want to get charged with murder"

[Sessuch]

7. I have to admit I am dumbfounded

The stupidity of the Alabama Supreme Court "Justices" is glaring. Their Old Testament interpretation of the law is not only archaic ,nonsensical and illegal. It is an infringement of the 1st Amendment.
Alabama lost the Civil War, so now, like Sen.Tuberville, they want to take revenge on anyone they can.
I cannot believe the insanity of it all.

[Timeflyer]

8. How many cell divisions are required before a fertilized egg qualifies for personhood?

Legally, courts will have to answer that. Or they can just go with the xtian nationalist rules--sperm meets egg, it's a person, full stop.

[Avis]

9. tax deductions?

Can someone have multiple tax deductions from having frozen embryos?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

11. I froze my sperm before I had an operation.

I didn't think I'd ever get that tray full.

[Hope22]

12. My heart goes out to the women in the program

Taking the intense drug therapy necessary to prepare for a procedure that was in the process and on the schedule. This will be physical and emotional hell for her. Once again the government succeeds in hating on the women. Of course this is the plan not a flaw.

[moonshinegnomie]

13. all states have safe haven laws

allowing one to drop off an infant in a designated spot and teh infant becomes a ward of the state

IVF clincs should pack embryos in dry ice and drop them off at the designated laoctions. then its teh state responsibility to care for these "chiledren"

and sine the fetus is now a person you cant jail a pregnant women since you will be imprisoning an innocent "child" also pregannt women can now claim their fetus as a dependent on their taxes..

after all the embryo is now a child.....

[CTyankee]

14. I have a wonderful 9 year old grandson due to IVF. He was very much a wanted child, but since my dtr in law was getting

closer to menopause, she and my son had IVF care and now we have this marvelous kid! This was a joy to our entire family and it makes me absolutely furious that had they been in the wrong state instead of blue New York, they would have this option taken away from them.

Republicans do nothing but inflict misery on American citizens, all to please a radical minority that is bent on making our lives as miserable as theirs.