New UK IVF regulations to dump fathers?

[Guest guest]

Real Issues Maxim Institute - real issues - No 215 - Maxim Institute

-

Maxim Institute

Thursday, July 27, 2006 7:35 PM

Maxim Institute - real issues - No 215

 

 

If you are having trouble viewing this email, please visit this web address

to view it online:

http://www.maxim.org.nz/main_pages/current_page/ri.php

 

 

Maxim Institute - real issues - No 215

27 July 2006 www.maxim.org.nz

 

 

 

 

New IVF regulations to dump fathers?

 

The British government is currently reviewing its Fertilisation and

Embryology Act which outlines the process for IVF treatments. As part of

this review, it is planning to drop the requirement that IVF clinics

consider the child's need for a father before providing treatment.

 

At present, Britain's IVF laws require clinics to consider the child's " need

for a father " as part of considering the child's welfare. But Public Health

Minister Caroline Flint told a Parliamentary Select Committee last week that

the government was " minded " to scrap the requirement, replacing the need for

a " father " with a new focus on " a loving home " instead.

 

The move has been welcomed by a variety of groups, who label the requirement

to consider the child's need for a father " discriminatory " , " outdated " and

" judgemental " . But as the British government blithely contemplates declaring

fathers irrelevant to the best interests of children, it is worth thinking

about the motives behind such a change, and the effect it will have on

children.

 

The debate has been cast in terms of adult rights to self-fulfilment. But

the reason the law requires clinics to consider the child's need for a

father is not because they cling obstinately to an outdated model of family;

rather, it is because having a dad is vital to " the child's welfare " and

best interests. Kids need dads to anchor identity, to share in parenting,

and to scare monsters under the bed. Fathers make a unique contribution to a

child's development.

 

The removal of the requirement, despite protestations from the Minister,

would send the message that having a dad is not vital to a child's welfare

and prioritises ideology and politics over the best interests of children.

 

It is expected that the proposed reforms will be outlined in a White Paper

by the end of the year.