In a move that has sent shockwaves through communities across the nation, the state of Alabama recently declared frozen embryos to be equivalent to living children, setting a precedent that imperils reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and has already resulted in nearly all of the state’s clinics halting the procedure. This state-level action mirrors the troubling ethos behind the federal Life at Conception Act, a bill championed by Republican Representatives to define human life as beginning at fertilization. Such a definition would not only outlaw abortion but also end IVF as we know it. This convergence of state and federal actions underscores just the latest attack in a long line of MAGA attacks on our reproductive rights and the freedom of individuals to make decisions about their bodies and families.
As the November election approaches, it is crucial that we make sure our friends and neighbors understand the continued threats to our reproductive rights and the broader implications of these legislative efforts. Letters to the Editor in local newspapers can be pivotal in raising awareness. Check if your Republican representative has cosponsored the Life at Conception Act. If they have, submit a letter to the editor to your local paper to inform your neighbors about their dangerous vision for our reproductive rights and the impact it could have on IVF. This is a critical moment to make our voices heard and make the choice that voters have in front of them stark.