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Law is an odd thing. On 15 February, thousands of frozen embryosAn unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development. kept by fertility clinicsA place couples who cannot have children go to to get medical advice and possible treatment. in AlabamaA state in the southern USA. It had one of the largest slave populations before the Civil War, and afterwards, it imposed harsh Jim Crow laws to disenfranchise Black Americans. were seen as no more than little groups of cellsThe smallest bit of a plant or animal that can live on its own. . On 16 February, they became children in the eyes of the law.

That day's decision by the Supreme Court of Alabama might make IVFIn vitro fertilisation is a technique used to help people with fertility issues have a baby., a process used by couples who cannot have children naturally, impossible in the state.

Generally, for IVF treatment, doctors take eggs from the mother and fertiliseJoin an egg with male reproductive material to cause new life to grow. them. They only put one back into her body. The rest are destroyed. But under this new ruling, that could be seen as murder.

The court said their decision was due to a view of life based on religionReligion is belief in a god or gods and the activities that are connected with this belief, such as praying or worshipping in a building such as a church or temple..

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Lots of people have criticised the decision. But others say many laws throughout history have been based on religion.

Today, there are only a few countries in the world where religious leaders make all the laws. One example is AfghanistanA mountainous Asian country, slightly larger than France, whose neighbours include Pakistan, Iran and China..

But lots of countries have laws that have roots in religion. For example, the idea that all human beings are made in God's image has influenced many laws.

Others say that while Christianity has had a huge impact on many cultures, many European laws are actually based on old Ancient RomanRelating to one of the largest empires in the ancient world. laws.

Yes! Religion has been part of our culture for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It affects what we think is right and what we think is wrong. We cannot separate laws and religion.

No! In the modern world, the law should have nothing to do with religion. It is not fair that people of different religions or none should have to follow the laws of one religion.