Brazil Allows in Vitro for Gay Couples

Brazil is guaranteeing homosexual couples' right to access assisted fertilization.

The wording of the an earlier decree governing who has the right to use such techniques was vague, and some courts here had blocked gay couples from using in-vitro fertilization and other assisted fertilization methods in the past.

The new decree stipulates that such techniques must be permitted for both gay couples and single people. It appears in the government's official gazette on Thursday.

The head of the Federal Medical Council says the new decree is in step with current social mores.

A 2011 decision by Brazil's high court recognized same-sex civil unions, although it stopped short of legalizing gay marriage.