According to Le Figaro, French gynecologists have received a confidential questionnaire to probe their positions regarding medically assisted procreation for same-sex couples.
It was a scandalized gynecologist who contacted the daily Le Figaro. Like all of his obstetrician-gynecologist colleagues, he has just received a questionnaire on his experience and his opinion on medically assisted procreation for same-sex couples. Doctors are asked, on condition of anonymity if they wish, to quantify the number of homosexual couples wishing to become parents received in consultation in 2011 and 2012 and the nature of their request (medically assisted procreation or surrogacy). , in France or abroad).
This confidential investigation is being carried out on behalf of the National Academy of Medicine and the National College of French Obstetrician Gynecologists. It is accompanied by a letter from two academicians specializing in assisted reproduction, Professors Roger Henrion and Pierre Jouannet, explaining that this questionnaire is part of a reflection group on “the possible opening of assisted reproduction and Surrogacy for non-medical indications ”in other words for homosexual couples. A report must be drawn up before the end of 2013 to make the results of this survey of gynecologists public.
In addition to the covert investigation method, many are surprised to see practices prohibited by French law, punishable by prison terms and heavy fines, in this way. This is in particular the last question of the survey “Do you think that assisted reproduction should be accessible to same-sex couples in France? If so, should it be covered by the health insurance funds? ” which concentrates the criticisms of the opponents of marriage for all. The associations of gay parents congratulate themselves on the completion of this inventory.
The Ministry of Health told Le Figaro that it was not associated with this investigation. For the moment, the government has decided not to reopen this eminently controversial file before spring 2014, when an opinion from the National Consultative Ethics Committee on Medically Assisted Reproduction is expected. Without waiting, however, four Socialist senators tabled on July 19 in the Senate a bill on medically assisted procreation for same-sex couples.