Lawmakers in Alabama are searching for solutions to preserve in vitro fertilization services within the state. Patients who had their procedures cancelled due to a ruling by the state’s Supreme Court are still unable to move forward with their dream of starting a family.

The judgement sparked concerns about the potential consequences for fertility clinics and led to a decrease in IVF services in the southern state. Three providers temporarily halted their services following the ruling.

In a ruling this month, it was declared that three couples, whose frozen embryos were lost in an accident at a storage facility, have the right to pursue wrongful death claims for their “out-of-womb children.” The decision was based on the phrasing of the wrongful death law and broad language added to the Alabama Constitution in 2018, which states that it is the state’s policy to acknowledge the “rights of an unborn child.”

The responsibility for this situation lies with Republicans, according to former U.S. Senator Doug Jones. He believes they prioritize winning elections over considering the long-term consequences of their actions. During an election year, Republicans used language in the Constitution as a way to make a political statement against abortion. Sadly, this decision is now negatively affecting people’s lives.

Jones stated that these individuals have been seeking support from the far right for many years, without considering the consequences of their actions or words on the lives of others.

Lawmakers in Alabama are currently developing ideas to address the ambiguity surrounding clinics. These proposals are set to be discussed during this week’s session.

Republican Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday that she anticipates having a “bill on my desk very shortly while ensuring that the Legislature has time to get this right.”

Governor Ivey stated on Tuesday that in Alabama, we strive to promote a pro-life environment, which also encompasses IVF. The state’s lawmakers are currently making efforts to tackle this matter.

Last week, Representative Anthony Daniels, the House Minority Leader, proposed a bill stating that a fertilized human egg or human embryo cannot be recognized as an unborn child or human being under state law if it is outside of a uterus. Senator Tim Melson, a Republican, is also currently developing similar legislation.

Daniels expressed that the decision has had a severe effect on couples whose IVF treatments were cancelled.

Daniels urged for swift action to prioritize resolving the issue at hand, setting aside political agendas and ensuring that the rights and decisions of women and their healthcare providers are restored, rather than being controlled by politicians.

Conservative and anti-abortion groups are also challenging lawmakers.

The Eagle Forum of Alabama released a statement advocating for lawmakers to carefully consider legislation and not rush into passing laws that may go against our Constitution and the defined definition of human life.

According to Eagle Forum, life starts at conception, not implantation.

Eric Johnston, the president of the Pro-Life Coalition in Alabama and a lawyer involved in drafting the state’s anti-abortion legislation, has expressed support for a bill that would eliminate the threat of civil lawsuits for clinics and allow IVF services to resume.

He expressed a desire for some form of regulation regarding the fate of unused embryos. He proposed the idea of making it mandatory for unwanted embryos to be available for adoption rather than being destroyed or used for research purposes.

According to Johnston, these embryos are grown separately in a petri dish for a certain period of time, similar to being in the womb.