In a recent move by Republicans to safeguard in vitro fertilization (IVF) methods, a potential shift in the party’s stance on abortion rights before 20 weeks gestation emerges. This move comes in the wake of an Alabama court ruling that designated frozen human embryos as human beings, prompting swift defense of IVF from Republican leaders.
Former President Donald Trump voiced strong support for IVF, emphasizing its importance. Similarly, former Vice President Mike Pence acknowledged the need for legal protection for fertility treatments. However, this stance appears to conflict with previous efforts by Republican lawmakers to impose restrictive abortion laws.
Republican state Sen. Brad Zaun of Iowa, known for his involvement in drafting stringent abortion legislation, recently withdrew a measure that would have criminalized causing the death of an “individual human organism” from fertilization to birth without the pregnant person’s consent. Zaun cited concerns about the potential impact on IVF practices as a reason for the withdrawal.
Despite Republican support for IVF, challenges arise due to the procedure’s association with selective abortion, also known as multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR). This procedure, aimed at improving maternal and fetal outcomes, involves the termination of one or more fetuses. Legal scholar San Juanita Gonzalez highlights the inconsistency in treating abortions differently based on their context, arguing that an abortion is an abortion, regardless of motive or method.
The Republican Party finds itself in a precarious position regarding abortion restrictions, with varying opinions among its leaders. Republican officials propose different gestational limits, ranging from six weeks to 24 weeks, reminiscent of the diverse abortion laws in Europe. In Iowa, where the gestational limit stands at 20 weeks, the issue remains contentious.
The Alabama decision prompts speculation about the potential impact on Republican views regarding the timing of selective reduction in IVF. However, Republican positions on abortion often lack grounding in scientific or medical evidence. Despite medical recommendations for early MPR, studies show that medically necessary procedures may occur up to 19 weeks.
As the prevalence of multiple pregnancies increases, largely due to advancements in reproductive technologies, selective reduction remains a reality. Republican support for IVF necessitates consideration of MPR within abortion policies. To maintain consistency and uphold principles of equal protection, Republicans must extend their support for IVF to encompass elective abortion up to at least 19 weeks, irrespective of IVF involvement.
