Ben & Jerryâs on Alabama ruling: âEmbryos are not childrenâ
Ben & Jerry’s has some “advice” about the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that gives fertilized eggs the same legal status as children.
The ice cream company on Thursday posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Alabama, here’s some advice from an ice cream company who knows a thing or two about frozen stuff: Frozen embryos are not children. And people should not have to live in fear of criminalization on their reproductive journeys.”
The company also linked a story that explains the implications of the new state ruling.
Since the court ruling, UAB hospital has paused IVF treatments, along with two other providers, Alabama Fertility Services and Mobile Infirmary. However, a bill filed on Thursday in the Alabama House would provide that any fertilized human egg or human embryo outside of a uterus “is not considered an unborn child or human being for any purpose under state law.” The bill would take effect immediately if approved and signed into law.
Alabama senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville commented on the ruling.
“I’ll continue to advance a culture of life while ensuring moms and children have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive and live their American Dream,” Britt said. However, she did not clarify on whether she agrees with the court ruling that frozen embryos are “children.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he was “all for” the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling and disagreed with the facilities’ decisions to pause treatments.
“I was all for it,” Tuberville told reporters following his appearance at CPAC in Washington, D.C. “We need to have more kids, we need to have an opportunity to do that, and I think this was the right thing to do.”
Ben and Jerry’s often uses activism as part of their business. They’ve previously spoken out in support of Colin Kaepernick, reparations for Black Americans, and cannabis justice.