Democrats call for IVF protections in North Carolina

Many North Carolina Democrats are calling for state and federal protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF) following a controversial Alabama Supreme Court decision about frozen embryos.

Doctors and patients on Thursday in Raleigh joined Attorney General Josh Stein and Congresswoman Deborah Ross to call for IVF protections in North Carolina. The push to protect IVF started last month when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos are people.

Many IVF clinics paused treatment, unsure what the decision would mean for their practice or for families using IVF.

Alabama state legislature has since passed a law to shield IVF providers from liability, but there is a push by some anti-abortion groups to "provide guidelines and establish clear legal framework" that could place limitations on the industry.

IVF is legal in North Carolina, but state Democrats say families shouldn't take it for granted.

"When the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade we saw the risks coming," said Stein. "We knew that reproductive freedom was on the line. unfortunately in North Carolina and throughout this county we've seen these fears play out."

Eleven states have fetal personhood laws, and 16 are considering legislation.

According to Ross, if any bills regarding IVF or fetal personhood are introduced in the House, they won't make it in the Senate.