ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the effect of the regulation of assisted conception across Western Europe on women and their potential reproductive rights. This includes an examination of national regulation across Western Europe, the new Convention on Biomedicine published by the Council of Europe and European Union law. Is it possible to reach any sort of consensus about harmonization between the differing cultural solutions to assisted conception regulation found across Western Europe? First, there is the 'non-regulation camp' which has not sought to regulate treatments in statutory form. Second, there is the quasi-liberal camp of France and Denmark which protects the embryo and child to a large extent with restrictions on research and donation. Third, one has the 'permissive-liberal camp' which currently also has only two members – the United Kingdom and Spain. Finally, the 'conservative' camp which includes Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland in relation to the protection of the embryo, and Sweden on issues of parental responsibility and access to treatment.
