Beth Warren’s victory to keep her dead husband’s sperm is a win for compassion

The news that a young widow might still have the chance to bear her husband’s child was a victory for compassion and common sense.

A court has ruled that Beth Warren will be allowed to keep her dead husband’s sperm, which was to have been destroyed.

Beth’s husband Warren (she took his first name as her married name) died of a brain tumour two years ago and the couple married in a hospice shortly before he passed away.

They had discussed having children and he had his sperm stored and frozen so that at least Beth had the choice of whether or not to go ahead and try to conceive.

She is still only 28 and has been grieving for her beloved husband while battling to ensure his sperm was not destroyed.

That would have happened this year after a two-year deadline under rules set by the UK fertility regulator.

The last thing poor Beth should have had to cope with was a legal fight.

She has had to come to terms with the death of the man she loved in horribly tough circumstances and this extra stress and upset was deeply unfair.

There should be a better system in place and rules drawn up to protect couples in the same situation.

It is terrific that we have the scientific know-how to store sperm and create new life, but there must be no grey areas.

Clearly, Beth and her husband were in agreement she should try for children after his death if that was her wish.

The judge was critical of the clinic for not ensuring that all necessary long-term consent forms were in place.

Beth’s husband hadn’t actually signed on the dotted line, which wasn’t his fault, as surely those in charge should take responsibility for ensuring all is in order when a patient is at death’s door.

If they had, it would have saved a great deal of anguish.

Beth said she was elated by the decision as it now gives her back the choice of whether or not to have her late husband’s baby.

She doesn’t know what the future holds, she might meet someone else or decide that life would be too tough as a single mum, but at least it is now her decision to make.

Hopefully, Beth’s battle will have ensured that no one else will have to endure this extra heartache on top of losing the love of their life.