40:
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legislature passed similar bills, stating "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 goods or services related to in vitro fertilization." Ivey signed the law on March 6, 2024, with two of the IVF clinics stating they will immediately resume services.
234:
based view of the sanctity of life adopted by the People of
Alabama encompasses the following: (1) God made every person in His image; (2) each person therefore has a value that far exceeds the ability of human beings to calculate; and (3) human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring
176:
The ruling decision cited an 1872 Alabama state law that allowed for parents to sue over the death of a minor child, a right that applies to all unborn children regardless of their location. Therefore, if a frozen embryo is destroyed, those responsible could be sued under the
Alabama Wrongful Death
152:
improperly accessed the cryogenic freezer where frozen embryos were stored, removing and dropping them on the floor after their hands suffered from cold burns. Four parents—James and Emily LePage and
Felicia and Scott Aysenne—sued against the Center for Reproductive Medicine, with William Tripp and
276:
was introduced that "would provide that any fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists outside of a human uterus is not considered an unborn child or human being for any purpose under state law" and allow IVF clinics to proceed as normal. On
February 29, 2024, the two houses of the Alabama
288:
According to David
Schultz, professor of law at University of Minnesota, this ruling cannot be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, as the decision is solely an interpretation of Alabama state law. Schultz also argues that this ruling would have been possible prior to the overturning of federal
364:
Chief
Justice Tom Parker's concurring opinion rested heavily on Christian principles, leading to concern about his overall approach to judiciary duties. The same day of the decision, an interview with Parker was released where he expressed his beliefs in
186:
from the law. Mitchell's opinion also referenced a 2018 amendment to the state constitution, arguing that its approval showed that "the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children."
280:
At the federal level, a bill called the Access to Family
Building Act was introduced in both houses of Congress in January 2024, which would override any state law so as to offer additional protections to IVF clinics. The bill's co-sponsor Senator
181:
wrote in the opinion that an unborn child is a child, without any exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other characteristics, concluding that nothing would therefore exclude unborn children located outside the
373:. Parker said in this interview, "God created government, and the fact that we have let it go into the possession of others, it's heartbreaking. That's why he is calling and equipping people to step back into these mountains right now."
339:, already trying to push their stance on abortion to the background so as to draw votes from women and swing voters, were critical of the Alabama Supreme Court decision since it left no carve out to protect IVF. Former president
239:
Alabama's Human Life
Protection Act, which states that it is a felony for a doctor to perform any type of abortion, was discussed by Justice Brady E. Mendheim in an opinion concurring with the result of the ruling decision.
128:
about 1 in 5 people are unable to get pregnant after a year of trying, with a recent survey reporting that 42% of all
American adults indicated they have used or know someone who used fertility treatments. In
347:, another Republican candidate, initially stated that "embryos are babies," but later said she would need to review the law, stating, "We don't want fertility treatments to shut down." New Hampshire Governor
376:
Parker's comments, in addition to his judicial opinion, have led to concern about the push of
Christian nationalism by conservative politicians and the Republican party, and the attempted weakening of the
355:
also spoke out against the decision. Other Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives praised the decision, having previously backed a bill that would codify that life begins at conception.
331:
said, "On the one hand, the proponents are saying that an individual doesn't have a right to end an unwanted pregnancy and, on the other hand, the individual does not have the right to start a family."
1181:"Trump says he supports I.V.F. and calls for the treatment to remain legal-though this is in contradiction to his numerous past statements that he believes life begins at fertilization"
61:
James LePage, Emily LePage, William Tripp Fonde, and Caroline Fonde v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine, P.C. and Mobile Infirmary Association d/b/a Mobile Infirmary Medical Center
211:
173:
ruled that the state's Wrongful Death of a Minor Act covered frozen embryos, which allowed the case to return to the lower court to be ruled on the liability of the defendants.
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started to immediately add the issue of protecting IVF treatments to its campaign platform in addition to its fight to protect abortion and other women's rights. President
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and that "the disregard for women's ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable." Vice President
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State lawmakers from both political parties reacted the same week to protect IVF. A bill with bipartisan support and backing from Alabama's governor
265:
that he "has no intention of using the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision as a basis for prosecuting IVF families or providers." The next day, an
302:
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urged action on the bill in light of the Alabama court ruling. However, Senate Republicans blocked the bill during voting on February 28, 2024.
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by the U.S. Supreme Court two years earlier. Several IVF clinics in the state suspended operations following the ruling.
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1196:"125 House Republicans — including Speaker Mike Johnson — back a 'life at conception' bill without any IVF exception"
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The ruling was highly criticized from political speakers on both sides of the spectrum, particularly in the wake of
1180:
805:
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Felicia Burdick-Aysenne and Scott Aysenne v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Mobile Infirmary Association
101:(IVF) clinics to be held liable for the accidental loss of embryos under Alabama's Wrongful Death of a Minor law.
494:"Alabama court ruled frozen embryos are children. Experts explain potential impacts to IVF treatment. - CBS News"
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90:
50:
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932:"How the reversal of Roe v. Wade led to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children"
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treatments. Two other IVF clinics also paused treatments following the ruling. Alabama's attorney general
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133:(IVF) a fertilized egg can be manufactured in a lab and cultivated for about five or six days to create a
130:
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was detonated outside of Marshall's office in Montgomery, although no one was harmed in the incident.
178:
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873:"Alabama attorney general's office says it has 'no intention' to prosecute IVF families, providers"
696:"Two states passed abortion amendments to their constitutions in the midterm. What does that mean?"
207:
616:
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1255:"Chief justice's Christian reasoning in IVF opinion sparks alarm over church-state separation"
1227:"Alabama justice who ruled embryos are people says American law should be rooted in the Bible"
810:
775:"Chief justice's Christian reasoning in IVF opinion sparks alarm over church-state separation"
752:"Alabama justice who ruled embryos are people says American law should be rooted in the Bible"
671:"Warnings of the impact of fertility treatments in Alabama rush in after frozen embryo ruling"
467:
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James LePage, et al. v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Mobile Infirmary Association
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1200:
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834:"IVF supporters are 'freaking out' over Alabama court decision treating embryos as children"
779:
266:
199:
858:"After Ruling, University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Pauses I.V.F. Procedures"
282:
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the wrath of a holy God, who views the destruction of His image as an affront to Himself.
343:, running in 2024 for a second term as president, stated that IVF should remain legal.
219:
138:
1154:"GOP lawmakers and candidates race to distance themselves from Alabama court decision"
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1281:"Alabama justice invoked 'the wrath of a holy God' in IVF opinion. Is that allowed?"
1125:
727:"Alabama justice invoked 'the wrath of a holy God' in IVF opinion. Is that allowed?"
1095:
1091:"'Outrageous and unacceptable': Biden and Harris decry Alabama court ruling on IVF"
645:"Explainer: Alabama's highest court ruled frozen embryos are people. What is next?"
579:"Alabama Rules Frozen Embryos Are Children, Raising Questions About Fertility Care"
549:"Women reconsider IVF plans as fertility practices across Alabama pause procedures"
519:"Alabama's frozen embryo ruling is now having its 1st effects | See what to expect"
348:
340:
960:"Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says she wants to protect IVF treatment after court ruling"
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The Alabama case was seen to have a potentially significant impact on the pending
344:
223:
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1038:"Republicans block Senate bill to protect nationwide access to IVF treatments"
134:
1126:"Alabama IVF ruling a political gift for Democrats, headache for Republicans"
871:
Wolfe, Elizabeth; Gallagher, Dianne; Kallingal, Mallika (February 23, 2024).
1285:
958:
Capelouto, Susanna; Gassiott, Kyle; Hodgin, Mary Scott (February 23, 2024).
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condemned the ruling, stating it was only possible due to the decision from
320:
901:"Explosive detonated outside Alabama attorney general's office on Saturday"
1231:
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273:
612:"Alabama Says Embryos in a Lab Are Children. What Are the Implications?"
987:"Alabama Senate and House pass bills to protect IVF after court ruling"
648:
183:
145:. One round of IVF in Alabama can cost between $ 15,000 to $ 25,000.
195:
1063:"Embryo Ruling Doesn't Rely on Federal Cases, But May Erode Them"
27:
2024 Alabama Supreme Court case concerning in vitro fertilization
1012:"Alabama governor signs bill to protect IVF treatments into law"
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In 2020, a patient at the Center for Reproductive Medicine in
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by the Supreme Court of Alabama released on February 16, 2024
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Jalonick, Mary Clare; Groves, Stephen (February 28, 2024).
438:"Alabama Supreme court rules in-vitro embryos are children"
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decision, because it does not directly relate to abortion.
161:
The Mobile Circuit Court ruled in favor of the defendants.
153:
Caroline Fonde serving as plaintiffs in LePage's lawsuit.
18:
LePage et al v The Center for Reproductive Medicine et al
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Zurcher, Anthony; McCausland, Phil (February 23, 2024).
305:, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn
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1082:
605:
603:
601:
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wrote a concurring opinion to the ruling, citing the
1279:
Hughes, Trevor; Arshad, Minnah (February 22, 2024).
1253:
Smith, Peter; Stanley, Tiffany (February 23, 2024).
773:
Smith, Peter; Stanley, Tiffany (February 24, 2024).
725:
Hughes, Trevor; Arshad, Minnah (February 22, 2024).
97:
should be considered as living beings, allowing for
806:"Frozen Embryos Are Now Children Under Alabama Law"
638:
636:
634:
577:Rabin, Roni; Ghorayshi, Azeen (February 20, 2024).
463:"Frozen Embryos Are Now Children Under Alabama Law"
74:
66:
56:
46:
32:
1152:Fox, Lauren; Zenona, Melenie (February 23, 2024).
253:Following the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling, the
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360:Parker's concurrence and Christian nationalism
572:
570:
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492:Moniuszko, Sara; Cohen, Paula (2024-02-21).
312:Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
126:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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33:LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine
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1342:February 2024 events in the United States
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1332:Reproductive rights in the United States
930:Howard, Jacquiline (February 24, 2024).
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303:2024 United States presidential election
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1225:Hixenbaugh, Mike (February 22, 2024).
804:Brown, Elizabeth (February 21, 2024).
750:Hixenbaugh, Mike (February 22, 2024).
643:Pierson, Brendan (February 23, 2024).
461:Brown, Elizabeth (February 21, 2024).
542:
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1194:Metzger, Bryan (February 23, 2024).
899:Shapiro, Emily (February 26, 2024).
832:Hughes, Trevor (February 21, 2024).
694:Ravitz, Jessica (November 7, 2018).
547:Hitson, Hadley (February 22, 2024).
255:University of Alabama at Birmingham
1089:Chidi, George (22 February 2024).
610:Hoffman, Jan (February 20, 2024).
93:case in which the court held that
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289:abortion protection in the 2022
297:2024 U.S. presidential election
379:separation of church and state
257:announced that it was pausing
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249:In vitro fertilization access
669:Chandler, Kim (2024-02-20).
436:Gunther, Brad (2024-02-16).
517:Ungar, Laura (2024-02-22).
120:Embryo destruction incident
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169:On February 20, 2024, the
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177:of a Minor law. Justice
51:Supreme Court of Alabama
351:and Tennessee Governor
214:; as well as Christian
1327:Alabama state case law
371:Seven Mountain Mandate
259:in vitro fertilization
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131:in vitro fertilization
99:in vitro fertilization
1067:news.bloomberglaw.com
367:Christian nationalism
212:Manhattan Declaration
171:Alabama Supreme Court
165:Alabama Supreme Court
91:Alabama Supreme Court
335:Some members of the
369:and support of the
157:Lower court rulings
106:the overturning of
617:The New York Times
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309:in the 2022 case
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