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