A leading medical law expert has described as “unconscionable” and “contrary to the best interests of children”, the Government’s failure to introduce legislation governing fertility treatments.

MEDICAL and legal experts tasked with setting out a blueprint to regulate the area of assisted human reproduction have called on the Government to take responsibility and introduce legislation in the interest of patient safety.

Guidelines for assisted human reproduction must be cemented by legislation, writes Catherine Shanahan.

FORMER Minister for Health, Micheál Martin forwarded the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction (CAHR) report to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children four years ago but its members failed to ever publish a report on proposed legislation.

EVEN those who do not believe that the early human embryo is a full human being would sacrifice the embryo in the interests of advancing biomedical research only with misgivings.

IF Jennifer Bell’s parents had met first, she might never have been born.

A LEADING expert on medical ethics said legislation and regulation was essential to govern the activities of fertility clinics and clarify the rights of the embryos they produce, store and implant.

A LANDMARK legal action to decide the fate of three frozen embryos is due to be heard in the High Court today.

“WITHOUT a vision, the people perish,” the Book of Proverbs tells us.

ASSISTED reproduction is a booming industry in this country, with nine clinics opening in the past 15 years.

HARDLY a week goes by but there are new stories which illustrate the fragility of human life at the extremes of conception and death.

THE GOVERNMENT is expected to fast-track legislation covering some of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction (CAHR) in order to meet European deadlines.