Woman to appeal over embryos ruling
One of two women who lost a High Court battle to use frozen embryos has announced that she is going to appeal the decision.
Natallie Evans, 30, sought to use the embryos without her former partner’s consent.
She argued that it was her last chance of having her own child following treatment for ovarian cancer.
Ms Evans’ former partner Howard Johnston agreed to IVF treatment when the embryos were created two years ago. However, he withdrew his consent when they split and now claims he does not want the financial or emotional burden of a child with Ms Evans.
Ms Evans is calling for the six embryos to be preserved and argues that, had she conceived naturally, Mr Johnston would have no say in the future of the child.
The current fertility Act states that consent from both man and woman is vital at every stage of the IVF process.
Judge Justice Wall said that, although he had sympathy for the women’s situation, it was up to Parliament, rather than the High Court, to decide if the law should be changed.
Ms Evans will now lodge a request for permission to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
A statement Ms Evans’ solicitor said: “She is placing her hopes on the Court of Appeal granting her permission.
“She is very determined and wants to do everything in her power to prevent her embryos being destroyed and to preserve her last chance of having a natural child of her own.”
The second woman whose case the High Court rejected, Lorraine Hadley, 37, has already announced she is abandoning her legal action.
