Human Rights Aspects of Assisted Procreation: A European Perspective

This article examines whether or not a right to assisted reproduction could be upheld under international and European law. It shows that there are four types of human rights that might encompass a right to assisted reproduction: 1) the right to marry and found a family; 2) the right to privacy and family life; 3) the right to health; and 4) the right not to suffer discrimination. The author assesses arguments made for and against including a right to assisted reproduction in the first three of these categories of human rights. She notes that article 12 of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women might successfully be used to uphold human rights claim for access to assisted reproduction. She then discusses certain limitations that should be placed on human rights claims to assisted reproduction. Finally, the right not to suffer discrimination in relation to assisted reproduction is examined. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Reproductive Freedom, International - Europe]