Texas ready to pick up IVF debate following Alabama embryo ruling: ‘pro-life state’

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled last week that frozen embryos are unborn children

Michael Moore says sperm or eggs will be considered human life after controversial court ruling on IVF

Documentary filmmaker and activist Michael Moore argued sperm or eggs would be considered babies soon because of an Alabama Supreme Court ruling deeming embryos unborn children.

Republican Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott said his state will weigh in on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) debate following the Alabama state Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are unborn children. 

"I have no doubt that Texas will be among the states that will be addressing this issue when we can bring in all the different facts and scenarios about what can happen. But also knowing Texas, as soon as you know, Texas is a pro-life state, and we want to do everything possible that we can to maintain Texas being a pro-life state," Abbott told CNN’s Dana Bash Sunday on "State of the Union."

"But at the very same time, I think Texans agree with what President Trump said. And that is, we as a state, want to ensure that we promote life. We bring more life into the world, and we empower parents to be able to have more children," he added. 

Abbott’s comments follow the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that an 1872 state law allowing parents to sue over the death of a child "applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location." The decision was reached after two wrongful death cases were brought forth by three couples who say their frozen embryos were destroyed in an accident at an Alabama fertility clinic. 

TRUMP BREAKS SILENCE ON ALABAMA SUPREME COURT IVF RULING: 'FIND AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION'

Abbott in NYC

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pictured during a panel discussion at the Yale Club in Manhattan on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

"Unborn children are ‘children’ under the Act, without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics," Justice Jay Mitchell wrote in the majority ruling.

The ruling subsequently led to a halt of IVF services at some Alabama medical centers. 

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM PAUSES IN VITRO FERTILIZATION FOLLOWING STATE SUPREME COURT EMBRYO RULING

"There’s some uncertainty lingering from this, but candidly, let’s go to President Trump because President Trump put out a statement on this that I think a lot of people agree with and that is a goal that we all kind of want to achieve," Abbott said. "And that is we want to make it easier for people to be able to have babies. Not make it harder."

Baby and mom

Baby holding mother's finger. (iStock)

"And the IVF process is a way of giving life to even more babies. And so what I think the goal is, is to make sure that we can find a pathway to ensure that parents who otherwise may not have the opportunity to have a child will be able to have access to the IVF process and become parents and give life to babies," the Texas governor added.

ALABAMA IVF RULING REIGNITES DEBATE ON ABORTION, A MOTIVATING ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS AHEAD OF ELECTION

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to students, parents and staff at Nolan Catholic High School while trying to build support for his school choice plan on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Trump posted on Truth Social last week that if re-elected, the Republican Party "will always support the creation of strong, thriving, healthy American families."

ALABAMA PROVIDERS SUSPEND IVF TREATMENTS AFTER STATE COURT’S RULING AS FERTILITY EXPERTS WEIGH IN

"We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America," Trump wrote. 

Former President Donald Trump

Former President Trump speaks during a rally at the Dayton International Airport on Nov. 7, 2022 in Vandalia, Ohio. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

"Like the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans, including the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby," Trump continued. "Today, I am calling on the Alabama Legislature to act quickly to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama. The Republican Party should always be on the side of the Miracle of Life - and the side of Mothers, Fathers, and their Beautiful Babies. IVF is an important part of that, and our Great Republican Party will always be with you, in your quest, for the ULTIMATE JOY IN LIFE!"

Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report. 

Authored by Emma Colton via FoxNews February 25th 2024