Religion: The Magistrate's Bow

Who is the father of a child conceived by artificial insemination? The man whose semen was used, decided a tribunal of Italian magistrates last week. But in arguing the case, the presiding judge made the point that artificial insemination was a fact of modern life and should be treated as such, rather than as the sin the Roman Catholic Church says it is. "The magistrate cannot accept the church's totally negative views on artificial insemination," he said. "That is the religious viewpoint, but a lay magistrate must see other viewpoints beside the religious."...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!