As a woman, mother, and most importantly, a nurse with medical knowledge and education, I am deeply troubled by the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that embryos are children. This decision not only contradicts scientific understanding but also infringes upon the separation of church and state enshrined in our constitution.
Scientifically speaking, an embryo is a cluster of cells containing only the genetic material of the mother. It cannot develop into a child without fertilization and placement in an environment conducive to growth. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), personhood beginning at conception is not a scientific perspective.
The court's ruling also raises serious concerns about religious influence on legal decisions. The U.S Constitution clearly states that there should be no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise – this includes court rulings. As quoted from a representative.
Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker explained in, um, a wide-rangingconcurring opinion:
[The principle against killing] has deep roots that reach back to the creation of man "in the image of God." Genesis 1:27 (King James).... Man's creation in God's image is the basis of the general prohibition on the intentional taking of human life. See Genesis 9:6 (King James).... Finally, the doctrine of the sanctity of life is rooted in the Sixth Commandment: "You shall not murder." Exodus 20:13 (NKJV 1982).
This shows that the representatives are clearly not educated in the basic understanding of our constitution. Making them incapable and unqualified to hold a seat in such an important position in our courts in the state of Alabama.
Furthermore this will in fact close down IVF clinics permanently in the state and make it where struggling couples not have an opportunity to have IVF as an option. It puts the clinics in an impossible situation where they can no long destroy old embryos that could not produce a child due to age of embryos or quality of embryo. Alabama's Supreme Court has no education on the scientific significance, proceedings, or basic principles of this complex process and should perhaps stay in a sector where they have understanding and knowledge on. They are not medically trained or have an understanding of basic scientific processes that are involved with this process and are unqualified to make rulings on such complex medical procedures that will effect thousands of Alabamian's wishing to have a family and unable to due to fertility struggles.
This petition seeks to overturn this scientifically inaccurate and constitutionally questionable ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. We need your support to uphold science-based understanding and constitutional principles in our legal system. Please sign this petition today!
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