Catholics believe assisted reproduction bill can be defeated in Ecuador

Catholic pro-life activists are confident a bill aimed at regulating assisted reproduction – and containing several provisions that go against Church teaching – may be shelved by a majority of lawmakers in Ecuador.

The bill, which was about to be put to a vote but had its consideration suspended at the end of July, is part of what pro-life movements describe as an offensive by various sectors of society to promote legislation contrary to the defense of life in the Andean nation.

Three legislative proposals were combined and introduced as a single bill on assisted reproduction in the Ecuadorian Congress earlier this year.

Lawmakers advocating its approval argue that assisted reproduction has been practiced in Ecuador for several years without regulation or state oversight, and that it is therefore time to establish legislation governing such practices.

But the bill contains a number of provisions that pro-lifers in general, and the Catholic Church in particular, cannot accept. That is why the Ecuadorian bishops issued a letter in August criticizing the bill and pointing out several elements that, in their view, should not move forward.

The main issue is in vitro fertilization and the creation of embryos in laboratories. In an