Florida delays ‘fetal personhood’ bill after fallout from Alabama IVF ruling

Lawmakers postpone legislation that attempts to define a fetus as an ‘unborn child’ over concerns it could affect IVF treatments

Florida lawmakers have postponed a bill that would give fetuses civil rights after a similar ruling in Alabama has halted in vitro fertilization treatment at several clinics in the state.

The “fetal personhood” bill had been gaining support amid Florida’s mostly Republican lawmakers. The legislation attempts to define a fetus as an “unborn child”, allowing parents to collect financial damages in the case of wrongful death, the Tampa Bay Times reported.