The first official data on the effects of the restrictive Italian law on assisted reproduction, approved in 2004, have been made public by health minister Livia Turco, of the centre left coalition government led by the former president of the European Union Romano Prodi.

According to Ms Turco's report to parliament, the law has resulted in a decrease in the success rate of the procedures and more multiple pregnancies and adverse outcomes.

The law was approved during the previous centre right government by a cross party majority. It prohibits the use of …