Last summer, my spouse and I eventually found the time to enjoy watching “The West Wing.” The series consistently depicts President Bartlett as a strategic thinker, emphasizing the importance of a leader’s ability to plan several steps ahead.
The recent news about the closure of all in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in Alabama following a state Supreme Court decision declaring frozen embryos as individuals reminded me of the unintended repercussions that can arise from a lack of foresight. Congressman Pete Stauber and 123 fellow congressional Republicans have endorsed a proposal that essentially aims to nationalize the implications of the Alabama court’s judgment. What would be the outcomes if this legislation were to be enacted?
In our case, we are grateful that this law was not in place 15 years ago when the surplus embryos from our IVF process were discarded. Although I cannot recall the exact number of eggs successfully fertilized by the clinic, it exceeded the two embryos initially implanted. We were fortunate to welcome twins on the first attempt (with the prayers and support of our Lutheran community), leading to the preservation of additional embryos for potential future use. Subsequently, the clinic informed us that there would be a fee to continue storing these embryos. At that point, our family felt complete, and we opted not to proceed.
Does Stauber advocate for the prosecution of someone—be it myself, my spouse, or the clinic staff? If so, numerous parents could face potential legal consequences. The clinics might escalate storage fees for embryos. Given that the likelihood of an embryo developing into a baby is less than 50%, maintaining them in frozen state proves to be a safer legal option for all parties involved.
Looking at the broader impact, what are the implications for the nation? With the current birth rate falling below replacement levels, including the over 2% of births attributed to IVF, can we afford another 2% decline in births? If obtaining service at restaurants or retail establishments is challenging now, envision the scenario with 2% fewer new American citizens, mass deportations of existing workers, and restricted immigration. Prices could surge, jeopardizing Social Security benefits funded by self-checkout services. On a positive note, wages might see a significant increase, and job opportunities and housing availability could rise as the population contracts.
It is conceivable that many of the 124 Republican co-sponsors of the Life at Conception Act endorsed it to demonstrate their pro-life stance. However, does this legislation genuinely support families? How does prohibiting 100,000 families annually from parenthood contribute to national improvement? While politicians may have leveraged this message for fundraising, what about the subsequent steps?
More than three weeks have passed since the court’s ruling, prompting the Alabama Legislature to rush a new law granting immunity to IVF clinic personnel from criminal charges. A nationwide guarantee of IVF access was rejected by Senate Republicans due to one senator’s concerns regarding human-animal hybrids. Are we living in a Marvel movie? The current state of politics is bewildering, impacting us all.
My heart goes out to the individuals in Alabama yearning to become parents, their lives disrupted by an ongoing unresolved crisis. Now, envision this turmoil on a national scale. We require leaders capable of strategic thinking.