China To Regulate Fertility Sector To Reduce Illegal Use Of Sperm Donors, Surrogate Mothers, Health Ministry Says

Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 06 Jun 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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China's Ministry of Health in a recent statement that it will regulate the country's fertility sector to reduce the illegal use of surrogate mothers and sperm donors, Reuters reports. According to the health ministry, the move is to ensure that fertility clinics are not putting profits ahead of public health.

"There are cases of illegal trade in embryos from time to time," the health ministry statement said, adding, "The lack of management over the issue will slow down the development of technology and also harm people's right to health." State media recently reported that stress, pollution, smoking and women undergoing multiple abortions were leading to an increase in infertility, which could potentially affect 10% of Chinese couples, Reuters reports.

Health officials "should take concrete measures to prevent the technology used for human fertility and sperm banks from being commercialized and industrialized," the statement said. It added that the "numbers of the places that can use this technology should be strictly controlled" and that people who collect or provide sperm without authorization should be "severely punished" (Reuters [1], 6/1).

Chinese Vocational School Ends Compulsory Pregnancy Tests for Students
In related news, a vocational college in Urumqi, China, has stopped requiring compulsory pregnancy tests for its students due to privacy concerns, state media reported Friday, Reuters reports.

College officials defended the policy arguing that it is the school's responsibility to the students and their parents. According to Reuters, 80% of new students at the school are ages 17 and 18. The college previously gathered groups of female students in the hallways to provide urine samples to physicians.

Headmaster Wang Hongli said the school felt it was necessary to limit the number of unplanned pregnancies, adding that none of the parents opposed the policy. Wang said the college will end the requirement because of privacy considerations, adding, "Public pressure is just too great" (Reuters [2], 6/1).

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