Alabama decision
White House: Ruling is an “attack” on artificial insemination
The White House in Washington. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
In the USA, many people are still deeply shocked by the end of abortion rights. Now the judiciary has intervened in a similar issue. The verdict can have far-reaching consequences.
The US government has a decision from the US state Supreme Court Alabama described as an “attack” on artificial insemination. “Doctors fear prosecution, fertility clinics are ceasing operations,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in Washington. The state court recently ruled that frozen embryos are considered children.
Several clinics in the southern state that carry out artificial insemination, also known as in vitro fertilization (IVF), then suspended their corresponding treatments because there were too many unanswered legal questions and the threat of lawsuits for damages. Currently, the ruling only affects Alabama. However, this could change – for example if other states pass laws similar to Alabama.
Civil rights activists: Another attack on women’s rights
After the US Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion almost two years ago, civil rights activists see the decision as a further attack on women’s rights. The ruling corresponds to the theory advocated by abortion opponents that embryos and fetuses should be considered children and enjoy legal protection.
The Alabama ruling is based on a law that allows parents of a deceased child to seek compensation if the death was caused by negligence. The court ruled that this also applied to frozen embryos.
Different reactions
The issue of artificial insemination has the potential to determine the presidential election campaign. Democratic US President Joe Biden called the verdict “unacceptable.” The reaction among Republicans was mixed. While many arch-conservatives celebrated the decision, former US President Donald Trump presented himself as a supporter of artificial insemination.
His rival in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley, said she believes embryos are babies, but expressed disagreement with the ruling. Republicans fear the decision could play into the hands of Democrats because polls show the majority of the US population supports IVF treatments.