Assisted Reproduction and the Irish Eighth Amendment

September 24, 2009

The issues raised by the use of assisted reproductive technologies take on an increased level of complexity in Ireland, which has a constitutional amendment acknowledging the “right to life of the unborn.” Ratified in 1983, the eighth amendment was passed to prevent the legalization of abortion. Its vague language, however, does not define the meaning of the word unborn. This ambiguity has led to controversy surrounding assisted reproduction in Ireland. (Bioethics Forum)