Impact of US Court judgement on IVF

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Alabama Supreme Court Ruling:

• The Alabama Supreme Court decided that frozen embryos are like children.
• This decision has big effects on how in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is done.
• The ruling came from a case where three couples sued a fertility clinic.
• This was because someone took some embryos from the clinic without permission.

Alabama's Wrongful Death of a Minor Act:

• This law lets people take legal action if someone's actions lead to a child's death.
• But it didn't say what a "child" is exactly.
• The new ruling says this law also covers unborn children, even if they're not in a womb.

Impact on US Politics and Abortion Debates:

• This ruling has restarted debates in the US about abortion.
• It matches with the Republican party's view that life begins at conception, so they're against abortion.

Republican Stance and the IVF Paradox:

• Republicans generally support IVF as a way for couples to have children.
• But this ruling puts them in a tricky spot because it aligns with their pro-life view, which could affect how IVF is done.

Alabama's Legislative Response and Future Implications:

• To address the ruling, Alabama made a new law to protect doctors and IVF clinics from legal issues.
• This law shields them from lawsuits related to embryo damage or death during IVF.
• However, it doesn't solve all the questions raised by the ruling, showing that IVF laws are still complex.

MUST READ ARTICLE: Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulations (ART), 2023: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/assisted-reproductive-technology-regulations-art-2023

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Evaluate the Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulations (ART), 2023. Discuss its impact on the legal framework and ethical considerations regarding in-vitro fertilization (IVF) practices.

SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS