Don’t Destroy Infertile Couples’ Dreams

Target: Steve Livingston, Alabama Senate Majority Leader

Goal: Ensure legal protections for in-vitro fertilization procedures that help individuals and couples conceive.

A supposedly pro-life legal ruling could ironically have the opposite effect on bringing life into the world. In a controversial decision, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos could be legally viewed as children. The ruling leaves practitioners (and perhaps patients too) of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) open to lawsuits or more severe legal actions if these embryos are donated for research or destroyed, even by accident. As a result, some clinics in the state have already indefinitely ceased IVF treatments, putting individuals and couples who do desperately want to have children in limbo.

Critics have long argued that such rulings could actually prevent childbirth, as the above scenario demonstrates. Concerns about the motives of some of the judges have also been raised. At least one of the justices hinted heavily at religious and theological influences in his written opinion: “human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.” Advocates worry as well about other states taking cues from Alabama and attempting to force similar rigid legal interpretations onto constituencies that do not welcome them.

The judges in this case are relying on their interpretation of Alabama law. Sign the petition below to urge the state’s legislators to walk back legal language that is being used to oppress and attack citizens and their reproductive health.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Senator Livingston,

Four in five pro-life advocates support in-vitro fertilization, according to a recent study. The very purpose of IVF is to promote life and happy, healthy families. With one ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court has endangered this dream for countless Alabama citizens. How are medical professionals supposed to help people achieve the dream of parenthood if they are worried about losing their livelihoods or their freedom as a consequence?

Anyone who considers themselves pro-life should be championing this process, not attacking it. As the state’s lawmakers, you have the responsibility for drafting clear legislation that does not make innocent people collateral damage. Do not let this disheartening dictate become a template to inflict further damage.

Fix the mess and the uncertainty you have helped create and craft a new legal standard regarding reproductive medicine that is transparent, fair, and affirming to all Alabamians.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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