PETALING JAYA: Ethical and religious concerns are hampering laws to regulate assisted reproduction.
“We need to reach a consensus on the proposed law on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART),” said Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman.
The Health Ministry had wanted the law since 2009.
At the moment, the ART sector is only governed by non-enforceable guidelines by the Malaysian Medical Association.
These were drawn up in 1999, and later in 2009 by the Malaysian Medical Council.
The Health Ministry held an online public engagement session on its website from Aug 29 to Sept 12, seeking views on the issue via a questionnaire. Dr Hasan said that 307 people responded.
“Some of the issues brought up were the fate of unused' embryos following ART procedures, genetic selection, gamete/embryo storage and gamete donation,” he said in an e-mail.
While public views were being considered, the ministry had also been engaging religious bodies such as the Department of Islamic Development and the National Fatwa Council.
“The Bill is currently being drafted. Once the draft Bill has been completed, it will undergo a second phase of online engagement,” said Dr Hasan, adding that it would be posted on the ministry's website.
“Many ethical, religious and moral aspects have yet to be finalised,” he said, adding that public acceptance has to be sought before the Bill could be tabled in Parliament.
With or without a law, ART's popularity has soared with close to 10 private health institutions offering the procedure on top of those available in public hospitals.
The Star previously highlighted issues involving sperm banks and ART procedures which were on the rise due to the increasing rate of infertility.
Sperm and ovum donors have also made a business out of donating their genetic material to couples trying to conceive.
No comments:
Post a Comment