Lords rule IVF lesbians don't need dads

Plans to make it easier for lesbian couples and single women to access fertility treatment have been backed by peers.

They rejected cross-party calls to stress the importance of having "a father and a mother". The Lords agreed, without a vote, to replace references in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to "the need of that child for a father" with "the need of that child for supportive parenting".

The act's references guide clinicians in their consideration of the welfare of the child when deciding whether or not to offer IVF treatment.

Ministers also agreed to review new consent laws on embryonic stem cell experiments amid concerns from scientists that they could limit medical research.Crossbencher Baroness Deech, the former chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, had sought to replace the government's new reference to supportive parenting with the words "support by a father and a mother". But her report stage amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was rejected by 165 votes to 93, a government majority of 72.

Peers are also seeking to amend the bill to stop abortions of babies simply because they have minor disabilities.

And they agreed to review new consent laws on embryonic stem cell experiments after concerns they could limit medical research.