Haften Kliniken in Alabama für die fahrlässige Tötung eingefrorener Embryonen?
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Haften Kliniken in Alabama für die fahrlässige Tötung eingefrorener Embryonen?
Zur „LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine“-Entscheidung des Obersten Gerichtshofs von Alabama vom 16. Februar 2024
Zeitschrift für Lebensrecht, Vol. 33 (2024), Iss. 3–4 : pp. 295–308
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Christian Funck, Institut für Kirchenrecht Adenauerallee 24–42 53113 Bonn, Deutschland
Abstract
In “LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine,” the Alabama Supreme Court ruled on February 16, 2024, that parents are entitled to punitive damages under the “Wrongful Death of a Minor Act” in the event of the negligent death of frozen embryos against the clinic responsible for this. The statutory text was clear and contained no exceptions for extrauterine children. Furthermore, the Alabama Constitution, which has protected the “sanctity of unborn life” since 2018, required such an interpretation. In response to the ruling, the Alabama legislation granted IVF service providers criminal and civil immunity for the damage to an embryo.
However, it is incomprehensible why commercial IVF providers should be immune from all civil liability, even in the case of intentional harm to an embryo, and damages should not be awarded to parents who have paid for artificial insemination, embryo storage, and the possibility of becoming pregnant.
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haften Kliniken in Alabama für die fahrlässige Tötung eingefrorener Embryonen? | 295 | ||
| Zur „LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine“-Entscheidung des Obersten Gerichtshofs von Alabama vom 16. Februar 2024 | 295 | ||
| I. Einleitung | 295 | ||
| II. Sachverhalt | 296 | ||
| III. Prozessgeschichte | 297 | ||
| IV. Entscheidung | 297 | ||
| 1. Präzedenzfälle: „Mack v. Carmack“ (2011) und „Hamilton v. Scott“ (2012) | 298 | ||
| 2. Wortlaut von § 6-5-391(a) des „Wrongful Death of a Minor Act“ | 299 | ||
| 3. Art. I, § 36.06(b) der Verfassung von Alabama: „Sanctity of Unborn Life“ | 300 | ||
| 4. Folgen für IVF-Behandlungen | 300 | ||
| V. Zustimmendes Sondervotum von Chief Justice Parker | 301 | ||
| VI. Bewertung | 304 | ||
| VII. Nachwirkungen | 306 | ||
| VIII. Fazit | 307 |