Italy votes on loosening fertility legislation

ITALIANS started voting yesterday on whether to loosen assisted fertility legislation, after weeks of intense campaigning that has pitted the Vatican against those who say the law hurts scientific research and infringes on reproductive freedom.

Turnout is crucial for supporters of the changes. Unless over 50% of eligible voters cast ballots, the results don’t count. The referenda would throw out several provisions of the tough law, including one which prohibits egg or sperm donation from outside the couple and another which bans scientific research using embryos.

Polls opened at 8am local time and remained open until 10pm. Balloting resumes today from 7am to 3pm, with results expected later in the day.

The Interior Ministry estimated that by noon, or four hours after voting began, just 4.5% of eligible voters had cast ballots.

Among the early voters was President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and his wife, Franca.

The vote poses a test of the Church’s influence in this overwhelmingly Catholic nation. Roman Catholic teaching is opposed to assisted procreation and scientific research on human embryonic stem cells, and the Vatican wants to maintain the restrictions of the current law. Italian bishops have repeatedly urged a voter boycott, with Pope Benedict XVI’s endorsement.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope’s vicar for Rome and president of the Italian bishops’ conference, reiterated his appeal this week, saying that the Vatican is looking to “enlighten consciences” and defend life.

Opponents of the legislation say the law is too restrictive and prevents research to treat diseases. They have enlisted women celebrities and created committees to urge people to repeal parts of the law.

“This law is against women, but also against research and ultimately against people’s good health,” architect Matilde Cante said on Saturday in downtown Rome, adding she would go to the polls and vote in favour of loosening the legislation.

The current law, which went into effect last year, limits the number of embryos that can be created to three, forbids sperm or egg donation from outside the couple and prohibits research using embryos.

The referenda ask voters to end all those limitations, as well as permit fertile couples with hereditary diseases to screen their embryos.

Many also contend that the Vatican’s campaign amounts to interference in the country’s domestic affairs. In interviews over the past weeks, prominent cardinals have defended Cardinal Ruini’s appeal and rejected the accusations.