CYIL Vol. 4, 2013

LUDOVICA POLI CYIL 4 ȍ2013Ȏ Additionally, the judgment offers a number of innovative insights on different controversial issues, surrounding the application of the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. III. The Comparison Between PID and Abortion: First Indicia of the ECtHR’s Favour for this Screening Technique The perspective adopted led the Court to a comparative analysis of the prohibition of PID and the rules on therapeutic abortion, with special reference to their impact on both a potential mother and her “ enfant à naître ”. According to theCourt, an abortionwouldproducemore detrimental consequences for a mother who is an immune carrier of a hereditary disease than the selection of a healthy embryo through PID. In fact, she would be forced to live in a greater state of anguish, having comme seule perspective de maternité celle liée à la possibilité que l’enfant soit affecté par la maladie litigieuse [ou], d’autre part, la souffrance dérivant du choix de procéder douloureux, le cas échéant, à un avortement thérapeutique. 13 The same appraisal is formulated by the Court with regard to the foetus, “dont le développement est évidemment bien plus avancé que celui d’un embryon” . 14 This standpoint is not of minor relevance but rather represents the first indication of the general approach of the ECtHR regarding the application of PID techniques that are aimed at avoiding the transmission of serious genetic disorders. While confirming the States’ wide margin of appreciation, given the moral and ethical choices implied, the Court did not renounce its roles in assessing the concrete impact of abortion and healthy selection following PID from an objective human rights perspective. The ECtHR’s conclusion was: PID has a less intrusive effect than abortion on fundamental human rights, even with regard to the “enfant à naître” . This is even more evident if one considers that the ECtHR’s reasoning admits a possible distinction between the embryo and the foetus. In particular, it recognized the existence of a “ gradation dans le processus de procreation ”, 15 which could be used to distinguish the embryo before implantation, from the foetus. According to the judges, the most advanced stage of development of the foetus would render an abortion much more invasive than the failure to implant an embryo generated in vitro . While being no more than an obiter dictum , this remark is to be considered of major importance. It is the first time the Court has given its perspective on the status of early stages of the human existence. 13 Costa and Pavan v . Italy (n 4), para. 66. 14 ibid. , para. 62. 15 Nicolas Hervieu, ‘Incertitudes européennes sur ‘le droit à un enfant sain’ via un diagnostic génétique préimplantatoire’ (2012), La Revue des Droits de l’Homme – Lettre «Actualités Droits- Libertés» du CREDOF accessed 12 March 2013.