'Man not included' - single women, female couples and procreative freedom in the UK [2003] CFLQ 155

This article examines the procreative freedom of single women and female couples. While neither the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 nor the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's Code of Practice prohibits assisted reproductive technology being made available to either group, it is argued that both are shamelessly couple-based and heterocentric in approach. The article explores the reasons why this should be so and questions both the validity of the underlying assumptions and whether such an approach would withstand challenge under the Human Rights Act 1998. It concludes by proposing amendments to the 1990 Act and the Code of Practice which would enable the legal system and the medical profession to embrace diversity in family relationships.