Republican Blocks IVF Bill Because It Could Lead to 'Human-Animal Chimeras'

A Republican senator has blocked a bill to safeguard in vitro fertilization access because of fears of human cloning and the creation of "chimeras."

The Context

"It would legalize the creation of human-animal chimeras," Hyde-Smith said of the bill on the Senate floor on February 28. Senator Tammy Duckworth had sought to implement the bill to protect access to IVF across the U.S.

Hyde-Smith, from Mississippi, also said on the Senate floor that the bill was a "vast overreach."

What We Know

The bill was brought forward under unanimous consent, which gives any senator the power to to block it.

Hyde-Smith specifically argued that the bill did not provide limits on issues such as cloning but said she supports "the ability for mothers and fathers to have total access to IVF and bringing new life into the world."

She added: "I also believe human life should be protected. These are not mutually exclusive."

Duckworth had argued in a statement that the bill was necessary because the decision in Alabama "throws IVF access into chaos as countless women and doctors try to figure out whether they might be criminalized for simply trying to create a family."

"It's a little personal to me when a majority-male court suggests that people like me who are not able to have kids without the help of modern medicine should be in jail cells and not taking care of their babies in nurseries," Duckworth said at a news conference on February 27.

The Illinois Democrat's two children were conceived through IVF.

The bill comes after the all-Republican affiliated Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos have the same legal rights as children.

"Unborn children are children," justices said in a ruling on February 16.

It is not a ban on IVF, but clinics in the state paused IVF treatments over fears discarded embryos could lead to companies being held liable for wrongful death.

In Alabama, Chief Justice Tom Parker wrote: "Even before birth, all human beings have the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory."

Some Republicans are uneasy and Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential candidate, has called on IVF access in Alabama to be protected.

"Like the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans, including the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby," he said on his Truth Social media platform.

Views

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on February 28 that access to IVF was a "basic issue of reproductive freedom."

A spokesperson for Hyde-Smith said to Newsweek that the bill contains a sweeping definition of "assisted reproductive technology."

They added: "This expansive language could include procedures that involve the manipulation of human embryos."

In a statement to Newsweek, Hyde-Smith added: "The media headlines and stories painting the picture that I object to IVF are blatantly misleading and some are boldfaced lies. I have been clear about my strong support of IVF and its ability to help bring God's beautiful creations into the world.

"Senator Duckworth's legislation was construed as 'protecting IVF,' when in reality, no states have banned or intend to ban IVF. I objected to the unanimous consent request to pass S.3612 due to its broad, sweeping language that would have serious consequences in our goal to protect life and religious freedoms.

"As Chair of the Pro-Life Caucus, I will always do everything in my power to protect the lives of mothers and children, and felt that this bill was too dangerously opaque to be allowed to bypass Senate procedure."

In a statement to Newsweek, Duckworth said: "Absurd hypotheticals that evoke fantastical creatures like centaurs or mermaids will not get Republicans off the hook for the needless suffering in Alabama that their decades-long campaign to tear down Roe is currently causing. And claiming to support IVF while blocking legislation that would protect it will not do anything to help the Alabamans actually being harmed by their policies."

What's Next

Senator Richard Blumenthal said the party will "pursue" the issue in an attempt to product IVF access at the federal level.

"The IVF dilemma for Republicans is they are down a path that is not only unpopular, it's untenable as a matter of constitutional law and basic moral imperative," he told reporters.

Republicans in the Senate have said the issue should be left up to states to decide, instead of at the federal level.

Duckworth said she would ask Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for a roll call vote on the bill.