Alabama lawmakers approve protections for in vitro fertilization

Photo: Elijah Nouvelage Getty Images via Agence France-Presse A woman presents a photo of her daughter born through the in vitro fertilization procedure.

France Media Agency in Washington

March 1, 2024

• United States

Alabama elected officials on Thursday adopted bills aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization (IVF), after the Supreme Court of this southern US state said it would consider embryos preserved by freezing as “children”.

The local House of Representatives approved legislation granting “civil and criminal immunity for death or damage to an embryo to any person or entity when providing or receiving goods or services related to infertilization vitro”.

The Senate adopted a similar text, which would also be retroactive, guaranteeing immunity to people providing “goods and services related to in vitro fertilization in certain circumstances”.

Unified legislation still needs to be passed before the text is sent to Gov. Kay Ivey for ratification, according to NBC News.

The decision of the Alabama Supreme Court created astonishment about ten days ago.

As a direct consequence, several clinics specializing in medically assisted procreation (MAP) in this conservative state have announced that they are suspending their in vitro fertilization activities for fear of legal action.

Democratic President Joe Biden called the decision “outrageous” while his Republican rival Donald Trump said he “strongly supports access to IVF for couples trying to have a precious baby.”

The affair, directly linked to the debate on abortion, quickly rose to the top of the electoral campaign and illustrates a certain unease within the conservative camp, which continues to say decidedly “pro-life.” Because suspending IVF contradicts its defense of traditional family values.