In vitro fertilization, a process in which eggs are harvested from a patient’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm outside of the body, does not involve medically induced abortion.

During IVF, multiple embryos are created to allow for repeated attempts at implantation in the uterus. After a successful IVF pregnancy, patients are typically given the option to cryopreserve or discard the remaining embryos.

IVF does not involve a medically induced termination of a uterine pregnancy, which is what constitutes an abortion. Unsuccessful embryos are terminated outside the body or naturally fail to implant upon transfer.

A controversial ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court in February 2024 extended personhood to embryos resulting from IVF, raising concerns about the treatment’s legal status. Politicians such as Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin stated that the position was not in line with the Republican Party’s views.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Encyclopedia Britannica In vitro fertilization

NPR The science of IVF: What to know about Alabama’s ‘extrauterine children’ ruling

Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute Abortion

KOSU NPR Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin says Alabama IVF ruling ‘is not the position’ of Republican Party

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