Poland's Sejm
Polish Indecision - In Vitro In Poland In Limbo
Warsaw, Poland 13 January 2010 - Six different bills presenting six different approaches to in vitro fertilization in Poland have been put before the Polish Sejm and no one seems to know what to do with them.
Polish parliamentarian (PiS), and head of the parliamentary health commission in Poland, Bolesław Piecha said “social debate over in vitro has continued for over a year”.
“The proposals are ready, delaying is unjustified. It’s time to settle this issue”.
On the other hand, PO representative Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska said “these bills evoke emotions that are more political than substantive”.
“It would be good if work on them could be done in peace so in vitro can be available in Poland, for which not only a majority in parliament is required, but also the president’s approval, which at the moment is rather unlikely”.
Kidawa-Błońska hopes the proposals will get passed after the next presidential elections but before the end of the current parliamentary term.
Of the six bills presented, Piecha introduced one forbidding in vitro. Another from the other end of the spectrum, by SLD representative Joanna Senyszyn, suggests the health care system refunds part of the costs of the treatment.
Emotional conflicts within PO resulted in two delegates and two separate plans. One, by Jarosław Gowin, outlines legal protection of embryos and prohibits trade. The other, by Kidawa-Błońska allows for ovarian hyper stimulation and over production of eggs as well as their freezing and selection before implantation.
One bill, from the citizens “contra in vitro” committee, was rejected immediately.
At the end of the day the speaker rules the house, and he, Bronisław Komorowski, said “on the topic of in vitro; let the extreme left have a mace fight with the extreme right, so they just disgrace each other”.
“PO’s role should be to step in at the right time with a moderate bill that will be a fair compromise that stands a chance of holding up for longer than into the next term”.
By Victoria Ziarkowski
Freelance Writer
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