91996E1289

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1289/96 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Council (15 May 1996)

Subject: 'DIY' artificial insemination arranged between two Scottish homosexual couples

In Scotland, a child, Jacob Henry, has been conceived as the result of artificial insemination arranged privately between two homosexual couples, one lesbian and the other gay.

Parliament has already adopted a resolution which does not recognize homosexual families.

The child is certain to have serious psychological problems and experience major difficulties in being accepted as part of society.

The Church has adopted a position firmly opposing such 'pseudo' families.

In view of the above, does the Commission not agree that it should intervene in order to prevent such situations arising again? What steps does it intend to take to protect Jacob Henry's right to live a normal life?

Reply (7 August 1996)

The matter raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the Council's sphere of competence.