European Court of Human Rights Denies British Woman’s Use of Embryos Without Partner’s Consent

The European Court of Human Rights ruled 5-2 Tuesday that a British woman could not use embryos created in 2001 with her fiancé because he had since withdrawn his consent. They also ruled unanimously that an embryo has no independent right to life and that the woman had not been discriminated against for being infertile. The woman, who was left infertile after cancer treatment, said that she was devastated by the ruling.  She and her then fiancé had begun IVF treatment in 2001 after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Six embryos were placed in storage before her ovaries were removed. Source:  Alexandra Frean, Timesonline, Timesonline.com.uk.  For the complete story, please click here (last visited March 8, 2006, reo).  The Ruling by the European Court of Human Rights can be found here.  Live interviews and analysis on NPR may be found here. (last visited March 8, 2006, reo).