completely obstructed (…) her only chance of pregnancy would be in vitro fertilization and uterine transfer of the embryo.”8 28. As to how the prohibition of in vitro fertilization has affected their lives, the couple told the IACHR that “it is difficult to put our feelings into words in this petition, faced as we are with the hand that fate has dealt us, knowing that the one chance we now have to have a family of our own is to use the technique of in vitro fertilization (…) When we decided to join our lives in the presence of God, to make a home, have a family, have children, it never occurred to us that this would never come to pass; it never occurred to us that this dream that every man and woman have could vanish. We get up day after day and live with a suffocating and all-consuming sense of emptiness.” 9 2. Roberto Pérez Gutiérrez and Silvia María Sosa Ulate (P 16/05) 29. According to the petitioners, after undergoing a series of tests and examinations, they were told that in vitro fertilization was the only alternative available to them to have biological children.10 30. A medical certificate dated December 16, 2004, states that Mrs. Silvia Sosa Ulate “is the carrier of primary tubal factor infertility; her right fallopian tube was surgically removed in a previous procedure, while her left fallopian tube was affected by an inflammatory pelvic condition and postoperative adhesions (…). In vitro fertilization is being suggested as an elective option to get around her infertility condition.”11 31. As to how the prohibition affected their lives, the couple told the IACHR that “this situation has had a profound psychological and emotional effect on my husband and myself, because time is passing and we see no hope for any solution (…) The only option we have is the in vitro procedure done in another country, which would cost millions, far beyond our means (…) This experience has affected every aspect of our private and social lives, as we are experiencing a depression born of our sense of frustration at not being able to avail ourselves of all the scientific options. We feel powerless. The enormous social pressure we feel leaves us with a sense of inferiority and the feeling that we are victims of discrimination.” 12 3. Luis Miguel Cruz Comparaz and Raquel Sanvicente Rojas (P 678/06) 32. According to the petitioners, after undergoing a series of tests and examinations five years before they filed their petition, they were told that in vitro fertilization was the option available to them if they wanted biological children.13 33. The petitioners described what the infertility was in the case of this couple. For Luis Miguel Cruz Comparaz “it is very difficult to father a child because he has a low sperm count.”14 As for the effects of the prohibition, the petitioners stated that “this painful situation has caused us emotional and psychiatric depression (…) We feel that society discriminates against us (…) We decided to make our first attempt at in 8 Medical certificate dated December 8, 2004. Dr. Gerardo Escalante López (Annex to the original petition of December 10, 9 Original petition of December 10, 2004. 2004). 10 Original petition of December 20, 2004. 11 Medical certificate dated December 16, 2004. Dr. Gerardo Escalante López (Annex to the original petition of December 20, 12 Original petition of December 20, 2004. 2004). Document titled “Identification and written testimony of Luis Miguel Cruz Comparaz and Raquel Sanvicente Rojas” (Annex 1 to the original petition of June 28, 2006). 13 14 Document titled “Identification and written testimony of Luis Miguel Cruz Comparaz and Raquel Sanvicente Rojas” (Annex 1 to the original petition of June 28, 2006). 6