Single women banned from getting test-tube babies ( 2003-11-07 11:18) (Xinhua)
Single women are prohibited from getting pregnant through assisted human
reproductive technology like "test-tube baby" technology, according to a
newly-revised regulation by the Ministry of Health.
The Technological Criteria, Basic Standards and Ethical Principles on Human
Assisted Reproductive Technology also forbids married couples from using the
technology to get triplets or more in pregnancy and twins in gestation should be
avoided.
The regulation urges all the medical institutions and personnel using the
technology to offer better service and strictly abide by the state's family
planning policy so as to minimize the negative impact of the technology on
society, ethics and law.
Identity cards, marriage certificates and birth permits of infertile couples
should be checked in order to prevent inappropriate use of the technology by
unqualified couples and single women.
Related medical institutions across the country are now making efforts to
meet the new requirements, the ministry said.
|