‘Virgin births’ condemned by bishop

About 28% of those girls’ parents said they rarely talked to them about sex or contraception – compared to only 5% of other women who became pregnant and had had intercourse.

Others were married but found intimacy hard and so paid thousands of pounds for fertility treatment. All the evidence shows that is the best context for a child’.

Supporters of the traditional family system, however, have blasted the “distorted” move, stating that it was turning young children into “teddy bears” that are to be “picked off the shelf”. A leading psychotherapist also warned that having a mother who had never been in a relationship could harm a child’s development, reports The Mail.

But because the United Kingdom is home to around 70 units, the true figure is likely to be higher. All of her patients became mothers.

Maha Ragunath, medical director at a Care Fertility clinic in Nottingham, said she has helped three virgins give birth.

She said that instead of career women who have been too focused on their work, many of her clients are in their 20s and either still in school or employed in very ordinary jobs.

“When I ask them why they are coming for treatment, very often the response is that they are ready to have a child and they don’t want to wait around for the right partner to come along”.

“Some wish to save sexual intercourse for a special relationship”.

The firm Care Fertility runs five centers across England.

But Dr Gudex believed fewer than 1 per cent of women receiving fertility treatment in New Zealand would be either single or in same-sex relationships.

The women were given extensive counselling, including the emotional support needed to conceive naturally.

Hasan said that when the man is removed from the aspect of a family, the woman becomes merely a breeding machine.

At least 25 young women who have never been in a sexual relationship have had children after paying for fertility treatment, clinics have revealed.

He says often the reasons behind the single women seeking fertility treatment is due to a breakup coupled with consideration for their biological clock. Clinics said they place great importance on the child’s welfare as well.

Dr. Piave Lake, of the Mental Health Professionals Group at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said it’s important to point out that when a woman chooses not to have an intimate relationship, there can be cultural or religious factors in their decision.

The Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, said the trend would “have implications for society that would not be helpful”.