Should religion shape laws? In the US state of Alabama, a court used mediaeval religious thinkers to make a new law which could stop treatments for people who want to have a baby.
US court rules frozen embryos are 'children'
Should religion shape laws? In the US state of Alabama, a court used mediaeval religious thinkers to make a new law which could stop treatments for people who want to have a baby.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
A 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 now a new law in Alabama means these embryosAn unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development. are seen as children. And so destroying them could be seen as murder.
The court's ruling was 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..
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
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.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Should religion shape laws?</h5>
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.
IVF - In vitro fertilisation is a technique used to help people with fertility issues have a baby.
Fertilise - Join an egg with male reproductive material to cause new life to grow.
Embryos - An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development.
Religion - Religion 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.
Afghanistan - A mountainous Asian country, slightly larger than France, whose neighbours include Pakistan, Iran and China.
Ancient Roman - Relating to one of the largest empires in the ancient world.
US court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’

Glossary
IVF - In vitro fertilisation is a technique used to help people with fertility issues have a baby.
Fertilise - Join an egg with male reproductive material to cause new life to grow.
Embryos - An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development.
Religion - Religion 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.
Afghanistan - A mountainous Asian country, slightly larger than France, whose neighbours include Pakistan, Iran and China.
Ancient Roman - Relating to one of the largest empires in the ancient world.