Govt takes aim at illegal births by surrogates

Twelve central government departments, including the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, will launch a nationwide crackdown this month on illegal surrogacy services, according to a notice.

The action is expected to last through December, according to the notice released last week.

Apart from surrogacy services, the crackdown also targets other illegal activities, including the sale of human eggs and sperm by clinics, hospitals and reproductive service agencies.