The Italian referendum on the abolition of laws that restrict research into stem cells and the manners in which assisted procreation can take place has collapsed. The referendum required a quorum of 50%+1 to be considered valid but the turnout was just 24%.
Several political figures, both from the left and right, as well as the Catholic Church had called on Italians not to vote. This move was considered controversial since it removed the right of anonymity in a vote by making one of the possible stands that of abstention.
Prime Minister Berlusconi did vote but did not reveal his choice.
The “Yes†camp argues that all the restrictive law achieves is to lead Italian couples seeking fertility treatment to do so in other countries of Europe where it is legal, such as Spain and the UK. In addition, the restrictive laws also mean that Italian researchers will be severely stifled in comparison to their colleagues in other parts of Europe.
