Friday Legal Updates - Embryos, Surrogacy, & Reproductive Tourism Revisited

Happy Friday to one and all! I am excited about spending a weekend in Los Angeles. There have been some interesting articles posted over the last week from over the world. Read and give me your thoughts. Have a great weekend to all.

Montana - Lesbian Custody Case - Another case of "you are not the parent" explained in detail by Julie Shapiro, who has a great blog with alot of information on many legal issues. Of course, one of the women did not adopt the children, which would likely not be allowed in Montana, and the other woman wants full custody. It is another unfortunate case that is even bringing in the Alliance Defense Fund, who opposes gay/lesbian rights. So, go figure. It is before the Montana Supreme Court, so we will keep an eye on this one.

http://julieshapiro.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/

National - Single Embryo Transfer: Why Not Put All Your Eggs in One Basket? Great article by Dr. Petok via the American Fertility Association. A great response to the Octomom debacle and the move towards fewer embryos being transferred.

http://www.theafa.org/library/article/single_embryo_transfer_why_not_put...

http://www.theafa.org/

Australia - Incubated Embryos Destroyed after Sydney IVF Malfunction. This is a sad situation - I certainly hope that the end result is good for all of these patients.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,25467355-2,00.html

Ireland - Irish Couples Face an Uphill Struggle with Surrogacy Laws. Surrogacy at home in Ireland is almost impossible, even though there are no laws banning such practices. There is an adoption required, which makes this possibility virtually impossible unless it involves a family member. And, with changes in the law in the UK in 2005, that country is no longer an option as it was in the past.

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/irish-couples-face-an-uphi...

Singapore - Singapore is now allowing reimbursement for altruistic living organ donations. The regulations and requirements will ultimately fall in the hands of the medical ethics boards in order to determine who is a healthy donor and who is acting altruistically. The Health Ministry now also has a plan in place as to how this will be done. Is this a step in the right direction? What do you think?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/417474/1/...

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