What's being billed as a legislative study of in vitro fertilization could be the first step toward banning the process outright in the state. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer reports.
The measure requires clinics involved in the process to tell the state everything from the number of eggs implanted, the number of children born to how many unneeded embryos are discarded. What has alarmed Kristen Boilini who lobbies on behalf of IVF clinics and the National Infertility Association is the measure also sets up a legislative committee to review the data - and recommend new laws. She says, "we know that for the interests and proponents behind the bill, every embryo, anywhere has rights. Actually in this study committee, it says that they're going to look at the effect of reproductive technology on third parties."
And the list of third parties in the measure includes not only the women who donate eggs and the children born from IVF - but also the embryos themselves. Senator Nancy Barto said fears of her bill are overblown, saying all it does is study the issue. But she acknowledged this is part of a larger agenda. "We can for sure inform people that this is happening because pro-life people care about life from the earliest, from conception to natural death," Barto said. "So, it's part of hte pro-life continum that people unerstand what is happening in their communities."
The measure is set for Senate debate this week.