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23rd February 2024
02:59pm GMT
There has been a major uproar after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are 'children'.
Due to the ruling, IVF patients who discard of embryos may face criminal charges because the embryo is now considered a child.
Many IVF patients will often discard an embryo if it has genetic abnormalities, or if the patient no longer needs it.
However, the new ruling means disposing of an embryo could be viewed as illegal.
The ruling comes after a case where a patient went into an unlocked storage area at Mobile Infirmary in Mobile Alabama. The person then dropped multiple frozen embryos, that belonged to other patients, on the floor.
The clinic was accused of violating Alabama's Wrongful Death Act.
The Wrongful Death Act is a "death that is caused by the wrongful act, omission, or negligence of another".
The shock ruling is already having a concerning effect on those trying to get pregnant via IVF.
Alabama Fertility Specialists confirmed that their IVF services have been paused due to the ruling.
They stated on Facebook: "Dear patients of AFS, we have made the impossibly difficult decision to hold new IVF treatments due to the legal risk to our clinic and our embryologists.
They added: "We are contacting patients that will be affected today to find solutions for them.
"We are working as hard as we can to alert our legislators as to the far-reaching negative impact of this ruling on the women of Alabama.
"At a time when we feel so powerless, advocacy and awareness are our strongest tools. Check back in later today for links to advocacy opportunities.
The team then said: "AFS will not close. We will continue to fight for our patients and the families of Alabama."
