Access sought for single women to assisted reproductive technology

China will intensify research to improve laws and regulations to ensure the right of unmarried women to give birth, the top health authority said in response to appeals to give single women access to assisted reproductive technologies.

The law does not ban unmarried women from giving birth, and children born out of wedlock have the same rights as those born of married couples, the National Health Commission said in a statement provided to China Daily.

However, it is against tradition that single women give birth, and the lawful rights of children should also be considered in making related regulations, the commission said. Although there have been public appeals to allow single women to use assisted reproductive technology, in reality few single women have done so, it said.