OPINION Protecting embryos and burdening women: assisted reproduction in Italy

BACKGROUND: A new law in Italy imposes strict conditions on assisted reproduction at a time when many other countries have become more accepting of these techniques. The law has been criticized both in and outside of the country because of its excessive concern with the status of embryos and disregard for the interests of women and infertile couples. METHODS: Bioethical, legal and policy analysis based on published materials. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: This article shows that ethical concerns about respect for human life and protection of the family and offspring need not burden women and infertile couples to the extent that the new Italian law does. Defining embryos as existing only at syngamy, allowing unpaid sperm and oocyte donation, and permitting the screening of embryos for genetic disease would greatly improve the situation of infertile women in Italy without greatly compromising the values and goals of the Italian law. Key words: embryonic stem cells/Italy/oocyte donation/preimplantation genetic diagnosis/syngamy Italy has enacted a restrictive law on assisted reproduction at a time when many other countries have become more accept-ing of these technologies. The new law situates Italy at the most conservative end of the spectrum in Europe, drawing criticism from both within and without that country. Man