Families who had hoped to move frozen embryos out of Alabama in response to a court ruling giving them the same legal status as children won’t have that option as companies pause operations to weigh liability.

An email obtained by AL.com and sent to patients at UAB, which announced a pause on some in vitro fertilization treatments Wednesday, addressed questions they had received about moving frozen embryos out of the state.

“Companies that transport embryos are also assessing the risks associated with the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, and we are working to identify a company that is able and willing as soon as possible,” the email said. “It is our goal to help patients who are interested in this option do so safely, but — at this time — there are no options available.”

The New York Times reported Friday that embryo shipping company Cryoport had announced a pause in its operations in the state.

An organization that represents patients undergoing fertility treatment sent a statement Friday about the lack of options for moving embryos out of state.

“Since the Court’s ruling, doctors have been forced to deliver devastating news to their patients, who dream of becoming parents and whose plans are on hold indefinitely, all because of the court’s disregard for science,” said Barbara Collura, president and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. “And now, this slight window of hope for Alabamans currently undergoing IVF to continue their family-building treatment in other states just slammed shut. Thousands of Alabamans trying to build their families are being held hostage by this destructive ruling.“

Lawmakers in Alabama have proposed bills that would clarify the legal status of frozen embryos to protect access to IVF in the state. Several fertility clinics have announced a pause on embryo creation and transfers in the wake of the supreme court ruling.

“IVF must be restored in the state immediately, without fear of criminal prosecution,” added Collura. “We at RESOLVE will do all we can to protect the hopes and dreams of Alabamans, and safeguard access to family-building nationwide.”