Hong Kong ban on IVF for unwed is discriminatory, say critics
Hong Kong law prevents single women and unmarried couples from using assisted reproductive technology. It's a restriction that's being called outdated and discriminatory
More than 30 years ago, in an experimental procedure called in vitro fertilisation (IVF), doctors joined a woman's egg and a man's sperm in a glass dish in a laboratory. Nine months later, in July 1978, the first test-tube baby was born. These days, IVF is just one of several options for assisted reproductive technology to help women have a baby.
Despite advances in fertility treatments, heaven forbid you're a single woman in Hong Kong because, until you legally marry a man, you're not entitled to make use of that technology.
The Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance, passed in 1997, dictates that fertility treatment in Hong Kong can only be offered to heterosexual married couples. But that legislation could possibly change as the Equal Opportunities Commission is in the midst of completing a public consultation on the review of discrimination law.
Of the 77-question consultation form that covered sex, family status, disability and race, question number 71 asked: "Do you think that: the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance should be amended to remove a requirement that a person is married to be provided with IVF treatment; and the exception in the Sexual Discrimination Ordinance relating to reproductive technology should then be repealed?"
The three-month public consultation exercise was completed on October 31.
More than 100,000 submissions were received, including a number jointly-signed by groups of people. The commission says it will carefully analyse the opinions received with a view to submitting a detailed report with recommendations to the government by the second half of 2015.