Our team at Loma Linda University Center for Fertility is grieved to hear about Saturday’s bombing of the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California and we hurt for those affected.
In light of this targeted event, we want to assure our patients we treat the safety of our patients and their embryos and other specimens as a top priority. Our IVF lab takes utmost precautions against dangers, such as natural disasters and the actions of bad actors (learn more about our lab), and we take precautions to make our facilities safe for our patients to visit for their regular consultations and appointments such as maintaining 24/7 monitoring through Xiltrix for our incubators and storage tanks, as well as having a comprehensive fire evacuation plan in place.
Background of the Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing
On Saturday, May 17, a suspected anti-natalist deployed a car bomb at American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California (read the NBC News article). While the bomber was killed in the explosion, there were no other fatalities, and all specimens at the fertility clinic remained untouched, according to AP News.
Importantly, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills believes the explosion was an isolated incident. While the motive is under investigation, authorities suspect it relates to anti-natalism, the belief that it is morally wrong or unjustifiable for people to have children.
Staying strong together
Despite an anti-fertility trend
In an email, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association noted, “Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, reproductive health—and IVF in particular—has come under increasing scrutiny… These events may seem isolated, but they are connected by a troubling thread: the growing influence of individuals, groups, and institutions that do not recognize IVF as a safe and effective medical treatment.”
We at Loma Linda University Center for Fertility & IVF believe every person has the right to pursue their dream of family, and as a community we will stay strong and support each other, even in the face of adversity.
About Loma Linda University Center for Fertility & IVF
Established in 1988, Loma Linda University Center for Fertility & IVF is one of the longest standing fertility centers in Southern California. The Center for Fertility provides personalized, quality fertility care to the Inland Empire. All fertility services are offered on-site including infertility testing, reproductive surgery, egg retrievals, embryo transfers and in vitro fertilization with the area’s leading lab.