Aussie rules

In an ongoing case, the Australian High Court is being asked to decide whether a Federal Court decision to allow single women access to IVF will stand. Last year, a court ruled in favour of IVF access for Lisa Meldrum, a single woman, when she appealed against the laws of the state of Victoria, citing the federal Sex Discrimination Act, which forbids discrimination on the grounds of marital status or sexual orientation.

The Federal Court decision has been challenged by the Catholic Church. Catholic bishops have been granted authority by Australian Attorney-General Daryl Williams to appeal against the original decision even though they were not a party in the original court case. Some High Court judges have criticised Mr William's decision but their final ruling may still be months away.

Also in Australia, a woman has been allowed to have embryos fertilised by her late husband implanted in her. Health Minister John Thwaites said that legislation will be introduced to amend Section 43 of the Infertility Treatment Act of Victoria - to remove the prohibition on the use of embryos after a donor has died. The amendment will not also apply to the use of sperm after death. Opposition health spokesman Robert Doyle said that he 'could not offer any assurance' that the majority-holding Liberal Party will agree to the changes.

Meanwhile, Australian parliamentarians were expected today, after two years of debate, to announce a decision about how stem cell research will be regulated in Australia.