Supreme Court to rule in landmark embryo case

A landmark Supreme Court ruling is expected today on whether a woman can have three frozen embryos implanted against the wishes of her estranged husband.

The embryos have been stored in the Sims fertility clinic in Dublin since the couple underwent IVF treatment in 2002.

The marriage broke up shortly after the couple underwent IVF treatment in 2002 but the mother-of-one wants the three remaining frozen embryos implanted despite the objections of her ex-husband.

In November 2006, the High Court rejected her case that the embryos could be classified as the unborn and as such have a constitutional right to life.

The point was raised again on appeal earlier this year but her lawyers also argued that her husband had originally signed his consent to IVF treatment.

During the hearing, a Supreme Court judge described the Government's failure to regulate fertility treatment here as "extraordinary".

A decision is due today.