Alabama's Supreme Court recently made a controversial ruling that defined frozen embryos as children, causing a ripple effect across the state and the nation. The decision has led to major hospitals pulling fertility services and prospective parents seeking clarity on the future of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments. The ruling, which stemmed from an existing law covering the wrongful death of a minor, has cast uncertainty over clinics and medical workers involved in handling embryos.

The debate surrounding the ruling has intensified the discussion on reproductive rights in America, particularly regarding the role of theology in the country's legal system. Chief Justice Tom Parker's theological justification for the decision has divided opinions, with some viewing it as a defence of life while others, like Margaret Boyce, a devout Christian, find it difficult to reconcile frozen embryos with living children.

Alabama's decision comes in the wake of conservative court rulings in other states, where Biblical teachings were cited to restrict abortion rights. The ruling has also raised concerns about the potential political repercussions, especially in a presidential election year, as restrictions on IVF and abortion have become key campaign issues for both Republicans and Democrats.

The impact of the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling on frozen embryos goes beyond the state's borders, sparking a broader national conversation on reproductive rights, the intersection of law and religion, and the sanctity of life.