The control over fertility technology must remain in the hands of the federal
government

TORONTO, Dec. 22 /CNW/ - The Supreme Court will issue a ruling today on whether the policing of reproductive technology will remain in the federal jurisdiction.

"If the Supreme Court rules in favour of Quebec's challenge that parts of the Assisted Reproduction Act trespasses on provincial jurisdiction, the serious issue of control would become a patchwork quilt with different laws and different restrictions in each province," said Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). "While we feel compassion for those couples who are unable to reproduce, the creation of new human life must not become a commodity that is bought and sold to the highest bidder in the province with the most liberal laws."

"Even though the Quebec challenge does not deal with the parts of the Act which ban the creation of animal-human hybrid and the use of human embryos for experimentation, how long would it take for this "Pandora's Box" of horrors to be opened for each province to explore?" wondered Mr. Hughes.

"The federal Government must retain its responsibility to control this field and they must live up to that responsibility to ensure that human life is respected in all its stages," said Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer of CLC.

Campaign Life Coalition and many others will be watching closely today as this decision is rendered and we trust that the Supreme Court will make a wise decision.

For further information:

Media Contacts:

Mary Ellen Douglas, CLC National Organizer 416-204-9749
Jeff Gunnarson CLC Toronto 416-204-9749  1-800-730-5358