Constitutional referendum looms if State backs fertility report

A CONSTITUTIONAL referendum on the rights of the unborn child may be required if the Government implements key recommendations from the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction.

The commission, set up five years ago, yesterday published its long-awaited report on how the Government should approach the regulation of all forms of fertility treatment, including artificial insemination, IVF treatments, surrogacy, cloning, as well as embryo and stem cell research.

At present there is no legislation governing these practices in Ireland.