What's next after the Alabama ruling that counts IVF embryos as children?

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled last week that couples who were trying in vitro fertilization and lost frozen embryos in an accident at a south Alabama storage facility can sue under the state’s wrongful death law.

Since then, three providers have paused the often-used fertility treatments while they sort out the legal implications.

The ruling is the first of its kind and extends a theory championed by some anti-abortion groups — that embryos and fetuses should be considered children and be afforded legal protections — into a new realm.

While the decision was narrow, some legal scholars think there's potential for wider impact.

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