Alabama Supreme Court Rules Frozen Embryos Are “Children”

The court issued the decision in a lawsuit brought on by a group of In-vitro Fertilization patients whose frozen embryos were destroyed after being dropped on the ground under a clinic's supervision.

Alabama’s Supreme Court made a historic ruling.

The court ruled that frozen embryos are children under state law and subject to legislation dealing with the Wrongful Death of a Minor. Justices ruled the law “applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location.”

The court issued the decision in a lawsuit brought on by a group of In-vitro Fertilization patients whose frozen embryos were destroyed after being dropped on the ground under a clinic’s supervision.

The plaintiffs allege the clinic violated Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act as well as negligence.

The court ruled the law stands to include frozen embryos.