Expert: Ruling Embryos Children ‘Defies Common Sense and Logic’

Media Contacts: Emily Gowdey-Backus, director of media relations and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations

Tuesday’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that stated embryos in test tubes be considered children “defies common sense and logic,” according to Associate Professor Heidi Collins Fantasia, chair of the UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing.

A board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner with more than 25 years of experience, Fantasia said the decision lacked scientific understanding and will have a lasting impact not only for families experiencing infertility but the state’s health care system writ large.

“Politicians and judges, who have no expertise in medicine or science, should not be making decisions that directly affect the health of individuals. Not only will this decision cause confusion and additional distress among people experiencing infertility, but health care providers who work in reproductive medicine may not provide services in the state of Alabama, increasing the burden on those seeking this specialized care,” she said.

The Alabama ruling, Fantasia continued, marks the latest curtailment of reproductive rights and privacy since the U.S. Supreme Court nearly two years ago overturned Roe v. Wade, which allowed for a constitutional right and access to abortions.

“We are starting to see the beginning of a chaotic era of illogical state decisions that intrude on the privacy of sensitive health care decisions that should only involve individuals and their health care provider,” she said.

Fantasia is an associate professor and department chair in the Solomont School of Nursing in UMass Lowell’s Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. To arrange an interview with her, contact Emily Gowdey-Backus or Nancy Cicco.