RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Fights Virginia Personhood Bill
RESOLVE Explains How Sec. 7 of HB1—Virginia Personhood Bill Does Not Protect Treatment of Infertility Despite Claims by Bill Supporters
MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association urged the Virginia Senate to vote against HB1 – the Virginia Personhood Bill, during a press conference held today in Virginia's state capital. Earlier this week, The Virginia House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed HB1, which would define life as beginning at conception.
RESOLVE opposes all Personhood Bills because they endanger the practice of IVF and the treatment of infertility. If an embryo is defined as a person and is given the same rights as a person, this could make it nearly impossible for doctors to practice IVF in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Doctors and patients could be held criminally liable for anything that happens to that embryo.
"The reason we're here today is because Delegate Robert Marshall, the sponsor of this bill, contacted RESOLVE yesterday and he said that Section 7 of HB1 specifically exempts infertility treatment. After thorough investigation we believe he is wrong and the public needs to know it," said Barbara Collura, RESOLVE's Executive Director. "Even though assisted conception is currently lawful in Virginia and even mentioned in Virginia Code Section 20-156, HB1 is designed to change that and to make any action that risks a microscopic embryo unlawful. So, Section 7's supposed exemption for assisted conception is really no protection at all; IVF as practiced to the standard of care will be unlawful. We're also concerned that 'lawful assisted conception' is not a recognized medical term and is ambiguous."
"With the prospect of intense governmental scrutiny of their medical practices and the threat of civil and criminal sanctions, doctors will not want to practice reproductive medicine in Virginia and will leave," said RESOLVE Board Chair, Lee Rubin Collins, JD.
"Trust me, nobody cares more about my embryos than me and my husband. Nobody wants to protect them more than us," said Whitney Anderson, infertility patient and blogger. "Do not take away my right to have the care that I need and deserve, right here in my home state of Virginia."
One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. For more information, visit www.resolve.org
About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.
RESOLVE Contact:
Andy Schwarz
703.556.7172
[email protected]
SOURCE RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
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