Italian court paves way for vote on assisted reproduction law

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

ROME (AFP) — An Italian court cleared the way for a referendum to be held on whether parts of a controversial law on assisted reproduction should be repealed.

The Italian constitutional court, which adjudicates on the legality of government legislation, declared that four questions concerning the law can now be put to the Italian people in a vote this spring.

One will ask Italians to decide for or against the rights of the embryo, a sensitive subject because of strong opposition from the Vatican to its use in any circumstances.

A second question will give Italians the chance to decide whether or not to remove the limits placed by the law on research on human embryos, a technique which makes it possible to find cures for diseases presently untreatable....