Lesbian couples and single women queueing for fertility treatment

Clinics overloaded with those worried by impending new legislation

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A number of fertility treatment clinics are crowded in anticipation of a new law on fertility treatment. Many lesbian couples and single women have sought treatment at the clinics, because they believe that the upcoming law will exclude them from the procedure.
      In Helsinki, it currently takes several months to get a first appointment to see a doctor at the Fertinova clinic as well as at the Infertility Clinic operated by Väestöliitto, the Family Federation of Finland. Moreover, it is now almost impossible for single women and lesbian couples to get any appointment at all.
     
The government is to bring its bill on fertility treatment before Parliament in the course of this spring. According to the controversial bill, a child would be entitled to know the identity of the biological father once he or she comes of age. Moreover, the sperm donor could be confirmed as the child's father, if the child's parents were not living in a heterosexual relationship.
      However, at Wednesday's government evening session the bill was set aside following a primary debate. What makes the issue difficult is the fact that the bill is seen as an matter of conscience in Parliament, which means that MPs will have a free hand in the vote.
      Doctors say that the new law would drive away sperm donors from lesbian couples and single women and would effectively prevent women who are not in a heterosexual relationship from getting fertility treatment any more.
     
In Sweden, lesbian couples will soon be entitled to fertility treatment, which was previously allowed only for couples in a heterosexual relationship, whereas single women will continue to be excluded from such treatment, even in the future.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Bill on fertility treatment to go before Parliament (26.1.2005)

Links:
  The Infertility Clinics of the Family Federation of Finland

Helsingin Sanomat