No Winners

Today the European Court of Human Rights dashed the hopes of Natalie Evans. She had hoped to have a baby conceived by IVF from embryos which had been frozen four years ago before she had an operation to remove her ovaries after cancer-like symptoms were found. Her fiance at the time was the father. Since then they have split up and now the father is objecting - as is his right under law - to the use of the embryos. The law is clear. Either partner can change their mind right up to the time of implant of the embryo. Since he is no longer with Miss Evans he doesn't feel able to be the father. Perhaps he is scared that he will be prevailed upon to support such a child. Perhaps Miss Evans would invoke the services of the dreaded Child Support Agency to appropriate funds from his salary towards the upkeep of the child. Or perhaps he feels nothing but hate for her since their parting - whatever. His decision is his to make and it must be a terrible dilemma for him.
It must also be painful for the girl. She knows that this is her only chance to have a child she can truly call her own. She has taken her appeals through the highest courts in Britain and now to Europe. Her one last chance is to appeal to the Grand Chamber, which could overturn the decision. Laws have to draw lines and rightly so. It is unfortunate that Miss Evans has come down on the wrong side of the line for her. But the father has just as many rights as she does and if he cannot bring himself to agree then the law says that she cannot proceed. Her appeal must be heard with all due haste as the embryos must be destroyed after five years in storage. That five year period expires in October this year.
Whatever the outcome there will be pain and sorrow for at least one of the parties, if not both.
I have no answers (I always say that). Perhaps there is no just solution. My heart goes out to both of these unfortunate people and all I can do is wish them peace and happiness in some form.