Acknowledging the advances in science available today to those seeking help having children, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops warns Catholics on its website of the ethical issues involved.
“The many techniques now used to overcome infertility also have profound moral implications, and couples should be aware of these before making decisions about their use,” the guidance reads.
The new law shields clinics from civil or criminal liability related to the damage or deaths of human embryos. It further prevents any criminal or civil action in relation to those deaths against any individual providing or receiving IVF services.
The law was effective immediately upon the governor’s signature on March 6. It also applies retroactively, meaning that the immunity applies to actions taken prior to the law going into effect.
Alabama lawmakers introduced the legislation late last month after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that human embryos are covered under the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. The 8-1 decision ruled that the law covered “all children, born and unborn,” which had allowed couples to sue an IVF clinic following the unintentional deaths of human embryos in their care.
The lawmakers intended to bypass that court ruling to prevent such lawsuits through this legislation.
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