In Vitro Fertility Goddess

Fertility Treatment in Britain: No Need for Fathers

Wednesday 22 May, 2008 

Source: AFP, Reuters  

Single women and lesbian couples have secured a landmark win in Britain after MPs allowed them to have fertility treatment without having to consider a father for their children.

The new laws were passed despite a bid former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith to have clinics take into account of a child's need for a father and mother when deciding on treatment. The House of Commons voted by 292 to 217 to throw out the cross-party amendment.

Under the new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, women seeking fertility treatment will no longer have to take into account the role of a father figure. Instead, the rules will be replaced with references to "supportive parenting".

The new legislation is the most significant extension to homosexual family rights since gay adoption was sanctioned.

It will stop fertility clinics turning away lesbians and single women because their children will not have a father or male role model. While the current law does not block such therapy, it is sometimes used to justify refusals.

In an impassioned debate members of all parties cast aside usual political loyalties to clash over questions of discrimination, parenthood and the very nature of family life.

Iain Duncan Smith, told MPs that children who grew up without a father were more likely to fail at school or have problems with drugs and alcohol. He said: "We are saying come on, this is common sense. All we are saying is 'Take consideration of the need of a child for a father' not 'If you don't have a father you will never get treatment'. It's only considering it."

Geraldine Smith, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: "To most people outside this House you are just talking common sense. They would wonder why we are even having this debate.

"Is there any wonder people think politicians are out of touch with ordinary people when we have debates such as this. It's nonsense to suggest that we shouldn't take into account the need for a father."

But her Labour colleague Emily Thornberry, the MP for Islington South and Finsbury, warned: "I always worry when people start saying they are only applying common sense, because so often common sense is a cover for discrimination, narrowness and an inability to face the 21st-century."

The veteran Conservative MP, Sir Patrick Cormack, said: "Whatever may be the case in Islington, in Staffordshire it's thought normal for a child to have a mother and a father. Do you think it is as normal for a child to have two mothers?"

Tory Mark Simmonds said: "It is important to send through this particular piece of legislation a message to the country that fathers are important in the welfare of the child."

His party's amendments were: "about retaining a male influence in a child's upbringing, providing a balanced outlook to society, " he said.