Advances in preimplantation genetic screening in China, where the world's first test-tube baby was born using this technique in 2012, are giving infertile couples greater IVF possibilities closer to home. Photo: CFP

A Chinese political adviser proposed endorsing assisted reproductive rights for unmarried women, such as allowing them to freeze their eggs. The proposal has stirred heated online debate.

The proposal was put forward by Peng Jing, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, who is a partner of the Chongqing Jingsheng Law Firm. 

According to current regulations, assisted reproductive methods, such as freezing eggs, are only accessible to married couples and not to single women, while men can freeze their sperms, regardless of their marital status, Peng told the Global Times.

Peng noted that the current situation has given rise to illegal operations of assisted reproductive methods, where single women seek help from underground hospitals, or go abroad for operations.

She suggested that the government revise its current regulations, expand access to reproductive methods for single women who meet qualifications, and give them equal assisted opportunities for giving birth like men. 

Peng advised health experts to work out systematic rules to prevent side effects or other risks from assisted reproductive methods. She said civil affairs and education departments should work out policies for registration and schooling for children born from the methods, and to end discrimination against single women in terms of reproductive rights.

Although this is not the first time such a proposal had been made, Peng's proposal led to a new torrent of discussions online, with the hashtag "promoting expansion of assisted reproductive methods for single women" being viewed 380 million times on Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, as of press time. 

Many hailed the proposal, as more and more women are missing the "golden age" for giving birth due to heavy workloads, and if they are deprived access to assisted reproductive methods, this is tantamount to denying them the opportunity to have children. 

"Currently, I do not plan to have a baby, but, to be honest, I am afraid that my ovaries and eggs will not be as healthy as they are now if I want a baby some years later. That is very possible given my lifestyle - always work overtime, stay up late," Jun Yixiao, 31, a single woman working in Beijing, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Others were concerned that if the proposal was passed, it would lead to a surge in illegal surrogacy, illegal sales of eggs and related black markets.

At the end of 2019, a Chinese woman surnamed Xu sued a Beijing hospital after doctors refused to freeze her eggs as she was unmarried. A court in Beijing's Chaoyang heard Xu's lawsuit against the hospital in a case that is expected to continue for months.