DENMARK | A woman have been permitted to fertilize her own eggs with the frozen sperm of her deceased father, a controversial decision which could set a precedent in European Union laws.
34-year-old Danish woman, Grunta Goebbels, had proceeded last July to have her ovum fertilized with the frozen sperm of her deceased father, 73-year-old Helmut Goebbels, with whom she had a hidden incestuous relationship dating back to 2006.
“ As many little girls, my father has and will always be the true love of my life. It is an honor to have the privilege to carry his progeny within my womb ” – Grunta Goebbels
Danish courts first objected and asked the defendant to abort the pregnancy, but a later court appeal ruled in favor of the defendant.
The couple never informed authorities of their incestuous relationship when applying for In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment last February, only weeks before her father died from a fatal car accident. Authorities were alerted by preoccupied family members only 12 weeks after the fertilization had already occurred.
The court appeal ruled IVF was in fact not a sexual act in itself and allowed the pregnancy to continue, a ruling which could set a precedent-setting law, believe experts.
