Third-party reproductive assistance around the Mediterranean: comparing Sunni Egypt, Catholic Italy and multisectarian Lebanon

Abstract The article examines religious and legal restrictions on third-party reproductive assistance in three Mediterranean countries: Sunni Egypt, Catholic Italy and multisectarian Lebanon. In Egypt, assisted reproduction treatments are permitted, but third parties are banned, as in the rest of the Sunni Islamic world. Italy became similar to Egypt with a 2004 law ending third-party reproductive assistance. In multisectarian Lebanon, however, the Sunni/Catholic ban on third-party reproductive assistance has been lifted, because of Shia rulings emanating from Iran. Today, third-party reproductive assistance is provided in Lebanon to both Muslims and Christians, unlike in neighbouring Egypt and Italy. Such comparisons point to the need for understanding the complex interactions between law, religion, local moralities and reproductive practices for global bioethics. The article examines religious and legal restrictions on sperm donation, egg donation and surrogacy in three Mediterranean countries: Sunni Islamic Egypt, Catholic Italy and multisectarian Lebanon. In Egypt, assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF are permitted, but donor technologies are banned, as in the rest of the Sunni Islamic world. Italy became similar to Egypt with a 2004 law ending all forms of donation and surrogacy. In multisectarian Lebanon, however, the Sunni/Catholic ban on donation and surrogacy has been lifted, because of Shia Islamic rulings emanating from Iran. Today, donation and surrogacy are provided in Lebanon to both Muslims and Christians, unlike in neighbouring Egypt and Italy. Such comparisons point to the need for understanding the complex interactions between law, religion, local moralities and reproductive practices for global bioethics.