Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill — Fertility treatment requires father and mother — rejected — 20 May 2008 at 18:30
Policies
The following policies have selected this division. You can use this to help you work out the meaning of the vote. Or list all policies.
| Policy | Vote (in this division) |
| Abortion, Embryology and Euthanasia- Against | aye |
| Homosexuality - Equal rights | no |
The majority of MPs voted against requiring the need for both a father and a mother to be considered when taking account of the welfare of a child who may be born as a result of fertility treatment. Instead, the law will stipulate the need for "supportive parenting".
The current text in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 says:[1]
- A woman shall not be provided with treatment services unless account has been taken of the welfare of any child who may be born as a result of the treatment (including the need of that child for a father), and of any other child who may be affected by the birth.
The new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill under discussion will substitute "a father" for "supportive parenting".[2]
The vote, which was lost, would have instead changed "a father" to "a father and a mother" as it was written in the 1990 law.[3]
- [1] Conditions of licences for treatment, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, Clause 13(5)
- [2] Conditions of licences for treatment, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, Clause 14(2)(b), 6 February 2008
- [3] Iain Duncan Smith MP, House of Commons, 20 May 2008