Italy pushes through controversial law on fertility treatment

[Judi Lynn]

DEC 13, 2003 SAT




Italy pushes through controversial law on fertility treatment

Single parents and gay couples are barred from artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilisation; 'granny' births not allowed

ROME - Italy has long been known as Europe's 'Wild West' of fertility medicine.

This is the country that for years boasted the world's oldest new mum, and where a leading doctor speaks cavalierly of his plans to clone babies.

No more. With the Vatican nudging it along, the Italian Parliament on Thursday reined in 'medically assisted' reproduction by imposing controls that are among the most restrictive on the continent.

The hotly contested law, seen by many as a major setback for reproductive rights and women's independence, passed by an overwhelming margin, thanks to a cross-party alliance of Roman Catholic politicians and the strong endorsement of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. His centre-right coalition authored the new rules.
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http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/story/0,4386,225099,00.html

[izzie]

1. Wonder why? I read their birth rate is not keeping up with pop.

Seems like an odd thing to get into but then wait to the Wing nut right hear about this and the House will be passing new laws tomorrow. Any thing to do with sex turns them on.