IVF rules to be relaxed

9.43.30pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Jul 2006

Evan Harris MP

Evan Harris MP has welcomed government proposals to make it easier for same-sex female couples to access fertility treatment without the sperm donor being present. This should make IVF treatment more accessible to both single women, and lesbian or bisexual women in same-sex relationships.

Evan, who had been led moves to address this issue in Science and Technology committee, commented, "I'm pleased that after 16 years of licensed discrimination against solo mothers and lesbian couples there are signs that it will come to an end. On the welfare of the potential child, I hope that the Government's new formulation will restrict the test to foreseeable serious medical harm based on evidence and not simply on prejudice."