Hi there,

As the business of
assisted reproductive technology becomes more and more widespread, more and
more people are asking whether it needs to be closely regulated by governments.
After all, as many as one baby in 20 or 25 are born from IVF in some countries.
Society has an interest in ensuring that health and human rights are protected.

However, the IVF
industry generally opposes government regulation, arguing that it is perfectly
capable of policing its own affairs. This viewpoint, however, was dowsed with a
bucket of cold water in this week’s report from a committee of the Australian
Senate on donor-conceived children. It found that

While government regulation brings its own
problems, it seems clear that private clinics are more interested in profit
than in the rights of the children they usher into the world. Stiffer
regulations and a government ombudsman seem absolutely necessary. What do you think?

Cheers,
Michael Cook
Editor