"From IVF to Fetal Personhood: The Evolution of Reproductive Rights"
The Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos have the same rights as children reflects the evolution of the once-fringe notion of "fetal personhood" into mainstream legal determinations, with roots in the anti-abortion movement's narrative. Moral panic over "crack babies" in the late 80s and early 90s played a significant role in normalizing the concept of fetal personhood, leading to laws that allowed pregnant women to be charged with criminal child abuse for exposing their fetuses to illicit substances. This has raised concerns about potential criminalization of self-managing abortion, pregnancy loss, and behavior during pregnancy, as well as its impact on IVF services.
- How 'fetal personhood' in Alabama's IVF ruling evolved from fringe to mainstream NPR
- Antiabortion advocates want Congress to act on IVF after Alabama ruling The Washington Post
- Miscarriage and Murder The American Prospect
- Reproductive freedom goes beyond IVF and abortion access — we need protections, now The Hill
- IVF Has Largely Restarted in Alabama. Patients Are Still Worried. The Wall Street Journal
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