Italy debates life and death in fertility vote

After six attempts to get pregnant, Federica Casadei can't face another round of gruelling hormone therapy and surgery at her Rome fertility clinic.

"I've given up hope of conceiving a child in Italy," she said. "The doctors are at the vanguard but our politicians have made it impossible, so we've decided to go abroad."

Casadei is not alone. The number of infertile couples seeking help abroad has tripled since lawmakers in Roman Catholic Italy crossed party lines last year to approve one of Europe's most restrictive laws on assisted reproduction.

They wanted to crack down on what many saw as a medical Wild West where a 62-year-old woman had become a mother and a maverick doctor has bragged about cloning babies.

But far from ending the controversy the legislation has sparked the most heated moral debate since divorce and abortion were legalised in the 1970s and has prompted Pope Benedict, elected in April, to make his first foray into Italian politics.

This weekend the standoff will come to a head with a four-part referendum that, if passed, would significantly change the law. The poll has shattered traditional political alliances and elicited emotional appeals from church pulpits.

ATTACK ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS

"Yes" votes would lift a ban on egg and sperm donors; allow embryo freezing and research; and remove limits on the number of eggs that can be fertilised during each attempt.

The referendum also aims to change language that gives embryos full legal rights and prevents diagnosis for genetic disorders before they are transferred to the uterus - even though women can then abort a foetus that has disorders.

"This law is an attack on the rights of women," Equal Opportunities Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo told. "If the referendum doesn't pass, the law could become untouchable and even raise questions about the legality of abortion."

Prestigiacomo was the first government leader to break ranks with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's administration, condemning the law and urging "yes" votes in the referendum. The defence and foreign ministers soon followed suit.

Indeed, the nationwide ballot has defied political definition sparking a bitter and emotional battle drawing in doctors, actors as well as the pope.

Bishops have urged Italians to boycott the referendum and political leaders from left and right who are against the referendum have rallied behind the slogan: "Life cannot be put to a vote: don't vote."

If less than 50 percent of voters participate in the ballot being held on Sunday and Monday, it will not be valid.

POPE BENEDICT STEPS IN

Pope Benedict plunged into the debate in two public appeals, calling bishops "truly good pastors" for trying to "enlighten the choices of Catholics" in the referendum battle.