In recent years, the debate over the various possible uses of the embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization has often been prominent in the press and in television programs. In Italy, the so-called law number 40 (Legge 19 febbraio 2004, no. 40) concerning in vitro fertilization and research on embryos created much dissension among concerned members of the public, although in the last few months discussion seems to have abated. Briefly, the law states that no more than three embryos can be created and all three must be implanted into the uterus of the mother (to avoid a situation where a given embryo has no possible chance to give rise to an individual). Incidentally, it is curious that the wording used is ‘create’ and not ‘generate’; the Nicene Creed (a prayer that contains statements of catholic faith established in Nicea in the year 325 AD) reads ‘Génitum, nonfactum’, that is begotten, not made.
Moreover, the law forbids any attempt to select a embryo on the basis of a genetic defect it may or may not carry. This contrasts with the fact that prenatal diagnosis is legal in Italy and parents can opt for termination of pregnancy if deemed appropriate. Furthermore, no extra embryos can be generated for research purposes. The law also forbids the use of research on any of the embryos that already exist in freezers – and it is thought that there must be about 30 000 stored embryos in Italy. A referendum was organized to challenge this law. In Italy, for a referendum to be valid more than 50% of the population must actually vote, so supporters of the law encouraged people not to vote. In the event the voter turn-out on 13, June 2005 was less than 30%, so the law holds. It will exclude Italian scientists from research on human embryos. It leaves a complex scenario for infertile couples.
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