(The Center Square) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes made it clear on Wednesday that a reproductive procedure known as IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is legal in the state.
An Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that embryos should legally be considered children, which largely put IVF procedures on pause in the state and created nationwide confusion about the practice commonly used to help women become pregnant.
“Despite the outrageous ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court last month that put the future of IVF treatment in doubt in that state, it remains legal in Arizona, and my office will fight like hell to keep it that way,” Mayes said in a statement.
The attorney general said that the United States Supreme Court sending the abortion discussion back to the states with overturning Roe created a slippery slope.
“The chaos that has ensued since the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade two years ago is both predictable and maddening. The fall of Roe has opened the floodgates for activist judges like those that make up the Alabama Supreme Court to attempt to impose their extremist beliefs on the rest of us.”
She also added that her office is tracking and changes to IVF access in the state and nationwide.
“The Reproductive Rights Unit at the Attorney General’s Office is monitoring legal developments across the country and here in Arizona,” she added. “We will be ready to fight back against any attempts to restrict the personal medical decisions of Arizonans. I was able to start my family and give birth to my daughter because of IVF treatment – and I will do everything possible to ensure every Arizonan can choose when and how to start their family without interference.”
In Alabama, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill on Wednesday to negate some legal fears regarding the ruling and giving providers a sigh of relief to continue on, NBC News reported.
Although some social conservatives have voiced their opposition to IVF, many Republican politicians have expressed their support for keeping it legal. The National Republican Senatorial Committee asked candidates backed by them to make their stance on IVF clear to voters, as social issues like IVF and abortion access are considered some of the top concerns of voters headed into November.
“One in six Americans struggle with fertility issues,” Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, who’s backed by the NRSC, tweeted on Feb. 23 after the ruling. “In the Senate, I will advocate for increased access to fertility treatment for women struggling to get pregnant. IVF is extremely important for helping countless families experience the joy of parenthood. I oppose restrictions.”