‘I’m Not a Doctor’: Gretchen Whitmer Stuns Kaitlan Collins by Refusing to Say Whether Embryos Are ‘People’

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer literally raised Kaitlan Collins’ eyebrows with her non-response to a straightforward question.

Appearing on Tuesday’s installment of The Source on CNN, Whitmer discussed reproductive rights.

Last year, the governor signed into law a series of bills repealing restrictions on abortion, which Michiganders voted to enshrine in the state’s constitution in 2022. This week, Whitmer signed off on legislation to protect patients who use in vitro fertilization and surrogates to have children.

IVF came under fire in Alabama this year when the state supreme court ruled that embryos are people. The decision prompted IVF clinics in the state to pause that service until the Alabama legislature and governor enacted a law shielding clinics from legal liability when they destroy embryos.

“You just mentioned the concerns about what happened in Alabama with the supreme court there and the IVF ruling and really what that could mean for other reproductive rights,” Collins told Whitmer. “On that ruling, you have not said whether or not you agree that frozen embryos are considered people. What is your position on that?”

“Who cares what my position is, Kaitlan?” the governor said, brushing aside the question. Collins was taken aback by the evasion, as evidenced by some eyebrow-raising and a head tilt. “What matters is what the parents and their doctor agree is whatever is right for them, how they define it. That’s the only one whose opinions should matter. Not a judge, not a politician, not a governor from a different state. That’s what the fundamental question is here.”

Collins pressed Whitmer for an answer.

“You have been out in the forefront on this issue though,” the host said. “I think people would care what you think of that.”

“Yeah, but I’m not a doctor,” Whitmer protested. “And I’m not in anyone’s individual situation. When we did this surrogacy bill yesterday, we heard from parents who went through IVF, couldn’t carry a baby to term, so had a surrogate do that. When they saw all of the laws that were changing, they were worried that they would lose the ability to make a decision about those embryos.”

The governor concluded, “I don’t think that the government or any politician should get in the middle of that choice.”

Whitmer’s name has been widely circulated as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028.

Watch above via CNN.