In this week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is information relative to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling stating that a frozen embryo is protected under the law as a person. And, the development of an unborn child may be shown in school classrooms in several states soon, which are considering legislation allowing this type of video. Also, a new Tennessee law allows those entrusted with performing wedding ceremonies to opt-out if he or she objects based on conscience.
Alabama high court rules that frozen embryos are human beings
In a stunning pro-life court decision, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos, produced in the process of in vitro fertilization, are actually human beings. Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel addressed that decision on last Friday's Meeting House program, and the Liberty Counsel website stated:
In LePage v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine P.C., the Court ruled that “an unborn child is a genetically unique human being whose life begins at fertilization and ends at death.”
The Court continued that “an unborn child” qualifies as a “human life,” “human being,” or “person” ... “throughout all stages of an unborn child’s development, regardless of viability.” (emphasis added)
The case involves a wrongful death lawsuit by three couples regarding the death of their frozen embryos at an IVF clinic. The deaths were caused by a clinic patient who wandered into the cryogenic nursery and tampered with an unsecured freezer resulting in the embryos being dropped on the floor.
However, now there are lawmakers who want to water down this life-affirming decision by the state Supreme Court and declare these embryos are not viable. This seemingly knee-jerk reaction comes after some IVF clinics in the state have temporarily shut down. An 1819 News story states: "According to Alabama Daily News, State Sen. Tim Melson...has drafted legislation that says 'any human egg that is fertilized in vitro shall be considered a potential life but shall not be considered for any purposes a human life, a human being, a person, or an unborn life unless and until the fertilized egg is implanted into a woman's uterus and a viable pregnancy can be medically detected.'"
That bill, as well as another that uses similar language, were described by Alabama Pro-Life Coalition President Eric Johnston as "very ill-informed efforts." He stated, "Most significantly, they are proposed 'statutes.' They cannot modify the AL Constitution as interpreted by the court. It will require a CA (constitutional amendment)..."Live Action founder and president Lila Rose applauded the Alabama Supreme Court’s recognition of human life, noting that this will provide more protections for children conceived through ART — many of whom are treated as property, rather than human beings created at the whim of adults.
“This decision made by the Alabama Supreme Court affirms the scientific reality that a new human life begins at the moment of fertilization,” she said. “Each person, from the tiniest embryo to an elder nearing the end of his life, has incalculable value that deserves and is guaranteed legal protection. This ruling, which involved a wrongful-death claim brought by parents against a fertility clinic that negligently caused the death of their children, rightly acknowledged the humanity of unborn children created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and is an important step towards applying equal protection for all.”
An article at the Washington Examiner quoted SBA Pro-Life America State Policy Director Katie Daniel, who said, “The Alabama Court recognized what is obvious and a scientific fact — life begins at conception,” adding, “That does not mean fertility treatment is prohibited. Rather it means fertility treatments need not carelessly or intentionally destroy the new life created.”
Efforts to show life in the womb present in several states
Speaking of Live Action, that ministry has produced a video called, Baby Olivia. A recent article at The Stream notes:
“Baby Olivia” is an educational animated video illustrating human development from fertilization until the point that a baby is ready to be born. Live Action, a pro-life advocacy group, made the three-minute video. This video, or ones like it, may soon be shown in classrooms in several states.
“The Baby Olivia project provides a medically accurate, animated glimpse of human life from the moment of fertilization. The story details her growth as she progresses from one developmental stage to the next, in preparation for her continued life outside of the womb,” the video webpage says.
But, in a response to a negative news story about the video, Live Action News states:
State legislatures in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia are debating bills that would require public school students to watch “Baby Olivia” or a similar video during sex ed/health classes. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum signed a law into effect last year requiring “Baby Olivia” or equivalent video content to be shown in its public schools.
Under HB 1265, both health curriculum and human sexuality instruction in North Dakota schools must show a high-definition video depicting the formation of vital organs in early fetal development. Viewing human growth and development in two separate classes before high school graduation is now the state standard in schools across North Dakota.
The story relates:
The “Baby Olivia” video is medically accurate and was reviewed and endorsed by OB-GYNs and other medical professionals, including Dr. David Bolender, PhD, Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin; Dr. Donna Harrison of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Michelle Cretella, MD, Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians; and Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA, Senior VP Bioethics and Public Policy for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations.
TN Governor protects conscience rights regarding performing weddings
In a bill that seems like it could - and should - have been passed many years ago, Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee has signed legislation that would, according to the CBN News website, "...allow public officials to refuse to perform wedding services based on their 'conscience or religious beliefs.'" The article says:
HB 878 states that a person "shall not be required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person's conscience or religious beliefs."
The article goes on to say:
The bill was introduced by Rep. Monty Fritts last January.
"As societal views change about what constitutes a marriage, officiants must be able to refuse to solemnize marriages that are contrary to their beliefs," Fritts said during a state Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs meeting. "The government has a responsibility to protect the exercise of religious beliefs. … Those with the authority to perform civil ceremonies would also be permitted to refuse to solemnize marriage for reasons of conscience."
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