Hopeful parents in Alabama are facing a heartbreaking reality after the state Supreme Court declared embryos to be “children.” Clinics across the state have been forced to halt in vitro fertilization (IVF) services, leaving patients like Meghan Cole devastated and uncertain about their future.

Cole, who has a rare blood disorder that prevents her from safely carrying children, had been planning to start a family through IVF and surrogacy. The surrogate set to carry Cole’s baby was supposed to receive an embryo implantation on Friday, but the procedure was canceled at the last minute due to the court ruling.

“I thought it was going to be one of the best days of our lives tomorrow, and now we’re just devastated,” Cole said.

The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision came in response to a unique case in which a person wandered into an unlocked storage area at Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, Alabama, and dropped several frozen embryos on the floor. The court determined on Feb. 16 that the clinic’s failure to secure that storage area violated the state’s Wrongful Death Act — which says an unjustified or negligent act that leads to someone’s death is a civil offense — because the frozen embryos were considered human beings.

The ruling has created confusion and uncertainty for IVF providers and patients across the state. Many clinics have suspended IVF services altogether, while others are scrambling to adapt their consent forms and procedures in an effort to comply with the law.

The Medical Association of Alabama and advocacy groups like RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association have called on the Alabama Supreme Court to reconsider or suspend its ruling, arguing that it will have a devastating impact on families who rely on IVF to build their families.

“The decision will likely lead to fewer babies — children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins — as fertility options become limited for those who want to have a family,” the Medical Association of Alabama said in a statement.

The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision is a major setback for reproductive rights in the United States. It is unclear what the long-term implications of the ruling will be, but it is sure to have a significant impact on the lives of countless people who are hoping to have children.

Additional details:

  • In 2021, more than 97,000 infants were born in the U.S. using assisted reproductive technology, which includes IVF.
  • Globally, IVF results in more than 500,000 deliveries per year.
  • The Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling could have far-reaching implications for access to IVF and reproductive rights in other states across the U.S.

This story is still developing. Stay tuned for updates on how this decision impacts people who want to have children.