(AmericanProsperity.com) – A recent court ruling has stated that frozen embryos would be looked at as living children and therefore IVF providers could be potentially charged with a crime if the embryos are disposed of, damaged, or destroyed.
After this ruling, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey passed a law to ensure protection to in vitro fertilization providers from lawsuits or prosecution in the case that human embryos were destroyed or damaged. Three of the biggest IVF providers in Alabama paused services after the initial ruling amid controversy.
Many residents of Alabama spoke out about the ruling and how it postponed their dreams of becoming parents after IVF providers had their transfers canceled. “I’m just elated to get these ladies back on schedule,” said Republican Senator Tim Melson.
Lawmakers pushed this immunity bill proposal to immediately address the concerns of clinics. However, they also looked into other situations where the new ruling might apply.
The court ruled that wrongful death lawsuits could be pursued by the three couples who lost their frozen embryos due to accidents at the storage facility that left their embryos destroyed or damaged. The ultimate ruling of seeing embryos as children caused a lot of liability issues on both sides.
Ivey stated, “The overwhelming support of SB159 from the Alabama Legislature proves what we have been saying: Alabama works to foster a culture of life, and that certainly includes IVF.” She continued, “I am pleased to sign this important, short-term measure into law so that couples in Alabama hoping and praying to be parents can grow their families through IVF.”
The bill put forth by Ivey stated, “No action, suit, or criminal prosecution for the damage to or death of an embryo shall be brought or maintained against any individual or entity when providing or receiving services related to in vitro fertilization.”
The bill doesn’t necessarily state that no lawsuits can be placed, but they said that damages would be capped and they wouldn’t be allowed to look into criminal prosecution.
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