Landmark embryo case decision due today
An English woman is to hear today if her final attempt to become a mother using her own embryos has been successful.
Natallie Evans, from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, who underwent IVF as she fought ovarian cancer, has spent years battling through the courts to stop the embryos being destroyed.
The European Court of Human Rights is expected to announce its decision on the case on Tuesday after a "last chance" appeal in November.
In March 2006, a seven-judge panel at the human rights court rejected Ms Evans's case in a 5-2 decision.
The judges heard Ms Evans started IVF treatment with her partner Howard Johnston, from Cheltenham, in 2001 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, treatment for which would leave her infertile.
But when the couple split up, Mr Johnston withdrew consent for Ms Evans to use the six frozen embryos, which had been fertilised with his sperm.
Ms Evans applied to the High Court, arguing that Mr Johnston had already consented to their creation, storage and use, and should not be allowed to change his mind.
Her case was dismissed by the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The House of Lords - the last legal resort in the UK - would not consider the case.
Having been ordered by UK courts to destroy the embryos, Ms Evans turned to Strasbourg, arguing that refusing to allow her to use the embryos and to destroy them, breaches the Human Rights Convention, which guarantees the "right to family life".
It also breaches discrimination laws, her lawyers say, because the embryos' fate is being determined entirely by her partner.
But the Strasbourg court also rejected her case, leaving her only the option of a final appeal.
