title: Implications of recent developments in Ireland for the status of the embryo.
abstract: One of the most significant developments in the area of reproductive health in Ireland is the Roche v. Roche [2009] case. The case concerned a woman who wished to implant cryopreserved embryos made with a former partner, against the partner's wishes. Of particular interest are questions about the status of the embryo: in Ireland the life of "the unborn" is constitutionally protected. Therefore the courts in Roche had to decide whether embryos were "unborn" within the meaning of the Irish Constitution.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Professional Ethics, School of Law, Keele University.
authors.forename: Sheelagh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGuinness
authors.forename: Sorcha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uí Chonnachtaigh
mesh_terms: D001755:Blastocyst; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000941:ethics; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007883:Legislation, Medical / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D028681:Moral Obligations; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D026712:Value of Life