Some of the pro-life activists in the state would like to see the state legislature tighten up IVF regulations as a next step after a law giving immunity to clinics. That law was quickly passed in March after IVF clinics were put into legal peril by a court ruling that gave frozen embryos the legal status of unborn children, reports AL.com's Mike Cason.
Alabama Pro-Life Coalition President Eric Johnston said the immunity law was a stop-gap measure, and that pro-life Alabamians aren't opposed to IVF but would like to see regulations considered, such as limits on the number of embryos created and/or a ban on using human embryos for research.
Christian Coalition of Alabama President Dr. Randy Brinson said he believes the Alabama Supreme Court decision was sound and that the immunity law conflicts with that ruling.
On the opposite end of the issue are many Democrats. State Rep. Anthony Daniels, a Huntsville Democrat and the party's leader in the House, also said a next step needs to be taken. He said he'll be sponsoring a bill that would specifically say that embryos in storage are not unborn children.
Daniels said the immunity law hasn't been effective and that he's heard from people considering leaving the state over uncertainty over the future of IVF.
Don't hold your breath for the state to go all the way in either of these directions, at least right away. IVF services are available in Alabama, and although some clinics hit pause on those services with the court ruling, the services went back online after the immunity law was passed.
The Republican leadership in Montgomery hasn't indicated it will move on the issue this coming session. Many in the party on the national level, including President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, have emphatically voiced support for the availability of IVF services.
