Opinions deeply polarised in parliamentary debate on fertility treatment bill

Childlessness pitted against fatherlessness in

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  There was intense debate in Parliament on Thursday over a bill on fertility treatments, which the government put forward recently after years of consideration. Opinions were polarised, and there was little willingness to compromise.
      Minister of Justice Leena Luhtanen (SDP) emphasised that the purpose of the proposed legislation was to establish a legal framework for something that is unregulated at present. The government wants to define a legal position for a recipient of fertility treatment, and especially the children.
     
Leading the assault against the bill were the opposition Christian Democrats, with the party's chairwoman Päivi Räsänen in the vanguard. Her main argument was that fatherlessness for a child is worse than childlessness for an adult, and that therefore a child's right to a father trumps other rights in the matter.
      Räsänen got much support from Parliamentarians of different parties, who emphasised that women or families do not have a "right" to have children.
      Taking the lead in favour of the bill were the Greens, led by MP Kirsi Ojansuu. Her main argument was that the structure of a family is less important than for a child to be wanted and loved.
      Supporters of the bill also wondered why the issue of single women and lesbian couples was seen as so important, considering that only about ten babies are born each year under such circumstances.
      It was impossible to say, on the basis of Thursday's debate, whether the bill would pass this time. In 2003 it was withdrawn by the government that was then in office.
     
Under the government's proposal, fertility treatments would continue to be legally available to all women, if the balanced development of the child can be secured. The doctor would have discretion over the decision.
      The egg cells could come from either the woman undergoing the treatment, or from a donor. No eggs or sperm could be used without the consent of the donor. Gene manipulation of sperm or egg cells would not be allowed. The use of surrogate mothers would also not be allowed.
      An egg or sperm donor would have to give consent for the cells to be used to treat single women or couples comprising two women. Under those circumstances, a sperm donor could be declared the legal father, if he has given his consent for such a move.
      The law would also give a child born as a result of artificial insemination the right to learn the identity of the donor of the sperm or eggs that were used.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Government would permit fertility treatment for single and lesbian women (10.2.2006)
  Bill on fertility treatment to go before Parliament (26.1.2005)
  Bill on fertility treatment to reach Parliament in autumn (20.2.2004)
  Government withdraws bill on fertility treatment (10.2.2003)
  More manoeuvres over fertility treatment bill (7.2.2003)
  Bill would ban fertility treatments for single women and lesbian couples (4.2.2003)

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