Alabama Supreme Court ruling declaring frozen embryos to be children does not affect IVF patients in Texas
The Alabama Supreme Court decision on February 16, 2024, declaring that unimplanted embryos are “children” under that state’s law has unleashed a flurry of news as well as much concern among infertility patients everywhere. While the ruling is state specific, it is the first such declaration in the nation and has implications for those considering or already pursuing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
The ruling raises significant ethical and legal considerations due to the unpredictable nature of embryos, which can be unsuitable for pregnancy at any stage during the IVF process.
Dallas IVF wholly agrees with the stance taken by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in its public statement condemning the Alabama Supreme Court ruling. ASRM says that the decision is “profoundly misguided” and “flies in the face of medical reality.”
Our infertility treatments are not changing
We completely agree and believe it is important that our patients know that our infertility treatment care is not changing. This specifically includes IVF and all steps involved in helping patients create embryos, cryopreserve them if necessary, and implant them for a pregnancy and a child.
We understand that recent headlines may have left many in need of infertility treatments feeling uncertain and concerned about their fertility journey. Everyone at Dallas IVF is here for their support. We are monitoring ASRM for additional position statements and any governmental regulatory updates that can benefit our patients.
Help protect reproductive rights after the Alabama embryo ruling
The fertility specialists at Dallas IVF are constantly engaged in advocating for the rights of all individuals and couples to have unimpeded access to the fertility treatments they need, as well as for all reproductive healthcare rights. In times like this when such rights are being threatened, we work even harder – and ask that our patients and supporters of reproductive rights do so as well.
We encourage everyone to let their opinions and desires be known to the legislators who will ultimately make the federal, state and local laws governing issues of fertility care and reproductive rights. Following are three easy ways to do so.
- Find and contact your representatives at the federal, state and local levels.
- Join ASRM’s efforts to support the federal Access to Family Building Act (S.3612/ H.R.7056), which would protect IVF across the country.
- Join the Fight for Families effort by RESOLVE, the National Fertility Association, to get involved in various ways.
We thank you for your help in this regard. We will share more information as it becomes available.