A Ugandan lawmaker, Sarah Opendi, has ignited a heated debate in Parliament with the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill 2023. The bill proposes a radical change - allowing single people to use fertility treatments, including surrogacy, to build families.
This inclusivity faces resistance. While the Law Reform Commission supports the bill's intent, it stresses caution. Commissioner Pamela Tibihikirra recommends setting a minimum age of 21 and a responsible upper age limit to ensure potential parents are prepared for parenthood.
Regulation is another crucial battleground. The Commission proposes measures to prevent exploitation: limiting how often someone can donate sperm or eggs, requiring comprehensive agreements between all parties (intended parents, surrogate mothers, and egg donors) to be registered with medical authorities, and banning commercial surrogacy altogether. Safeguarding surrogate mothers' well-being is also a priority, with mandatory insurance coverage a key proposal.
The fight doesn't stop at contracts. The Commission proposes legal deterrents against potential abuses: outlawing commercial surrogacy, criminalizing exploitation of surrogate mothers, and punishing those who abandon children born through surrogacy.
The bill exposes the complexities of balancing the desire to be inclusive with the need for strong safeguards. Uganda's path into assisted reproduction hinges on finding this delicate balance.