US Clinic Stops IVF Services After Court Rules Frozen Embryos Are Children

Alabama SC ruling stems from a case where three couples sued for wrongful death after their frozen embryos were destroyed in a storage facility accident. The court, citing the state constitution's recognition of the "rights of the unborn child," opened the door for lawsuits based on wrongful death. This decision has thrown the future of IVF treatments in the state into uncertainty.

Reproductive endocrinologists, like Dr. Michael C. Allemand from Alabama Fertility, expressed disbelief and concern over the ruling. IVF, a common solution for couples facing fertility challenges, now faces potential legal complications. The court's declaration that "unborn children are 'children' without exception" raises questions about the fundamental practices of IVF, impacting providers and patients alike.

Gabby and Spencer Goidel, a couple from Auburn, Alabama, shared their struggles with multiple miscarriages and their decision to pursue IVF. The ruling, coinciding with Gabby's IVF cycle, raised fears of treatment disruptions. Gabby emphasized the real-life impact on couples pursuing the "American dream" of starting a family.