Avoiding ideological debate: Assisted reproduction regulation in the Netherlands

Since the 1960s, the Dutch have been discussing regulation regarding assisted reproduction. In a country with a religious-secular divide, one would expect ART to reach the political agenda via single-issue movements and political parties willing to accept their views. However, ART proved different in this respect. Nevertheless, the discussion and regulation of ART fits into Dutch political culture: Trying to find a regulation that almost everyone can approve, which often results in a procedural approach. The Dutch regulation of ART can be characterized as permissive regarding the people who may have access to ART (couples, singles, homosexuals), moderately restrictive regarding the techniques permitted (for example, with respect to embryo research and pre-implantation genetic testing, and human rights-oriented (protection of life, right to personality, equality).