By James Mackenzie
CANNES, France (Reuters) - American singer Madonna said on
Thursday she was happy to be a "guinea pig" in a case she hopes
could ease adoptions from Malawi, where an AIDS epidemic has
orphaned more than 1 million children.
The southern African country's High Court is considering
whether Madonna can adopt an infant boy.
A report by Malawi's Human Rights Commission says the
adoption could be illegal because it does not conform with
international conventions and procedures under the country's
law.
Madonna, presenting a documentary on the plight of children
in Malawi at the Cannes film festival, said the controversy had
been difficult to deal with but she was happy to be involved in
a move that might allow more children to be adopted.
"Up until this time there wasn't an adoption law, so
consequently I'm sort of the template or the role model, so to
speak, for future adoptions," she told a news conference.
"Hopefully after we get through this adoption it will be
easier for other people to adopt children and I'm happy to be
the guinea pig," she said.
But critics say she has been allowed to get around laws
that prevent non-residents adopting children.
Madonna's film "I Am Because We Are" recounts the story
behind her efforts to adopt David, a boy whose mother died in
childbirth in Malawi, said she had tried to look at the
controversy in a positive light.
