Kids' are all right, if a tad cold; nation's another matter
By Sid Schwab / Herald Columnist
It’s hemi-heartening that there’s been an uproar over the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling regarding in-vitro fertilization (IVF); namely that frozen, fertilized eggs are “children” in need of protection from murder.
Even hard-core, anti-choice Republicans, though far from all of them — including whoever placed that bomb outside the home of the district attorney who said he’d not enforce it — are backpedaling. Many of them previously signed legislation declaring that life begins at fertilization, putting IVF at risk (Vox: tinyurl.com/children4u).
Even referring to frozen, fertilized eggs as embryos is a stretch, in that they’re generally fewer than a dozen cells. To make sure those “children” are doing their chores and going to bed on time, you’ll need a microscope.
Only one of those judges, all of whom are Republicans, foresaw the closing of IVF programs, which help not only women trying to get pregnant but also ones undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, who have eggs harvested before treatment. Because some of the intended implants are found unsuitable or die, they’re discarded, making IVF personnel murderers; a risk many are unwilling to face.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/schwab-kids-are-all-right-if-a-tad-cold-nations-another-matter/