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No, Alabama: A Fertilized Egg in a Petri Dish Is Not a Baby

In an era where scientific understanding should illuminate the dark corners of misinformation, Alabama’s stance on fertilized eggs is a baffling testament to how far we can stray from the light.

Libby Winkler
3 min readFeb 28, 2024
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

No, Alabama: A Fertilized Egg in a Petri Dish Is Not a Baby

In an era where scientific understanding should illuminate the dark corners of misinformation, Alabama’s stance on fertilized eggs is a baffling testament to how far we can stray from the light.

The assertion that a fertilized egg, particularly one residing in the sterile environment of a petri dish, equates to a baby is not just scientifically inaccurate; it’s a profound misunderstanding of human biology, embryology, and ethics.

The Science of Early Development

Let’s start with the basics. Human development begins with fertilization, but the journey from a single cell to a full-term baby is complex and fraught with hurdles. The majority of fertilized eggs do not result in pregnancy; many fail to implant or are lost shortly thereafter. This biological reality underscores the distinction between the…

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Libby Winkler
Libby Winkler

Written by Libby Winkler

Freelance writer who loves exploring the messiness of humanity, while poking around in nooks of life and shining light on all the things that make us complex..

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