Fertility Treatment Bans in Europe — Are They Fair?
Photo: Thinkstock / The Bump
Europe’s tough fertility treatment rules have been getting a lot of buzz lately. In the U.S., it’s pretty easy for couples and single women to get IVF or artificial insemination. But according to CBS News, lesbian couples and single women aren’t allowed to get IVF in France and Italy. Austria and Italy ban sperm and egg donations, and Germany and Norway ban donating eggs only. Couples in Sweden have to prove that they’ve been in a stable relationship for about a year in order to get fertility treatments and in almost every country in Europe, couples can’t hire a surrogate.
Many experts both in Europe and the U.S. believe these restrictions are outdated and prejudiced. The reasons for these bans? CBS News reports that some countries believe it creates “unnatural” relationships between the donor, parents and children. For other countries, there are religious and cultural concerns behind these laws.
What do you think of these restrictions? Do you think these laws should be updated?
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I believe this is fair and that it should be more regulated in n. America as there are thousands of test tube babies who are deprived of knowing their heritage. Some donors have hundreds of children, who could be in the same age range. It’s a real concern when you are dating and have no idea if that person could be related to you as a half sibling or cousin. IVF has created a lot of problems and is often done for selfish reasons, the opposite of what it takes to be a parent.
I agree. IVF may pose major problems for couples in the future when they find out they are brother and sister and don’t know. In some instances, there is no way of knowing because the donors are kept anonymous. I also think that IVF is kind of like playing god, and messing with evolution. It’s not that I think gay or lesbian couples shouldn’t have kids, or that single but financially stable people shouldn’t, I just think the practice of IVF itself is wrong. If someone can’t reproduce naturally, I think they should adopt.
I think this is horrible, and the responses show a true lack of understanding about what IVF is. While adoption is an excellent option,not all people qualify for it. If IVF was made illegal in the US then we would be out of luck for having children. Remember, if IVF is playing god then so is getting treatment for other diseases. For many people this is the only way they will have their own children. If you don’t like it, or understand the process then you really should stay quiet.
There are plenty of ways to be a loving parent without using IVF. Such as adopting babies and children that already exist and need a loving home. Both commenters before you made excellent points. Even if IVF was better regulated (as both commentors suggested) some couples would still qualify for treatment. Just not 90% of the public. Personally, I wouldnt want to fall in love with some guy to find out 8 years later after trying to conceive, just to find out that we are actually half siblings. Disturbing. I strongly believe that IVF should be better regulated and not just given out to anyone who can pay top dollar. Especially not when so many babies and young children are waiting to be adopted.