by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
A new law that took effect in England and Wales on Sept. 1 allows a lesbian couple who conceive a child together to be named as the parents on the birth certificate.
Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, if the couple are civilly partnered or have made use of a licensed fertility clinic, they automatically will be listed as the parents.
The new law also instructs fertility clinics to stop considering "the need for a father" in determining whether to help a couple and instead consider "the need for supportive parenting."