Delegates concerned about allowing prisoners to store eggs and sperm

Delegate Nguyen Thanh Sang - Photo: GIA HAN

On the morning of November 12, National Assembly deputies discussed in the hall the draft Law on Enforcement of Criminal Judgments (amended) and the Law on Enforcement of Temporary Detention, Temporary Imprisonment and Prohibition of Leaving Place of Residence.

Donation of human tissues and organs should only be allowed to relatives.

Speaking at the discussion, many delegates were interested in the new proposal in the draft Law on Execution of Criminal Sentences (amended) allowing prisoners the right to donate tissues and body parts; to enjoy the regime and policies according to the law on donation of human tissues and body parts; and to store eggs and sperm according to the law.

Agreeing with this proposal, delegate Nguyen Thanh Sang (HCMC) said that this is a very humane, humanitarian and profound regulation, expressing the wishes of the family and the community.

However, according to the delegate: "This is a very sensitive issue, because the subject of this matter is a very special subject: the person serving a sentence."

Mr. Sang said: "This is a new regulation, while we have not fully assessed the political , social, and legal impacts, as well as the conditions for ensuring, especially assessing the ability of prisoners to work, study, and reform after donating organs, and the fact that prisoners cannot ensure the fulfillment of their obligations after donating."

From there, the delegates proposed to only allow prisoners to donate human tissues and body parts to their relatives (grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren).

Along with that, there are very strict conditions such as the prisoner being a volunteer, not for profit, having good health, and that person must have at least 5 years of prison time left.

"Such a regulation will be more cautious to pilot. After the implementation period, if it is okay, we will implement it in the community," Mr. Sang commented.

Agreeing with the above opinion, delegate Huynh Thanh Phuong ( Tay Ninh ) said that the subjects donating human tissues and body parts in this case are very special: prisoners, people serving sentences.

"This is a sensitive issue. If we only include this regulation to fully ensure human rights but have not yet had a comprehensive assessment, we need to carefully consider it before including it," said a delegate.

Considerations when allowing prisoners to store sperm and eggs

Delegate Pham Van Hoa ( Dong Thap ) - Photo: GIA HAN

Also expressing his opinion on this issue, delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap) stated that allowing prisoners to donate tissues and body parts is very necessary for their relatives who will later have illnesses and need these types of tissues. The regulation is very appropriate and very humane.

However, Mr. Hoa proposed strict regulations, only tissue donation is allowed without economic profit. The person receiving tissue donation must be a relative of the donor. Such regulations must have very strict conditions attached to avoid legal procedures later.

Delegates also proposed that tissue donors must undergo medical examination to check their health to avoid prisoners with poor health and tissue and organ recipients suffering from future illnesses.

Regarding the regulation for prisoners to store sperm and eggs, Mr. Hoa said: "This is a very difficult problem. Donating tissues (e.g. kidneys) is immediate, but for storing sperm and eggs, you have to wait a while, sometimes a very long time."

According to the delegate: "This requires a great deal of scientific handling. For these cases, I suggest not doing it. There needs to be more specific in-depth research to ensure the safety of donating these two types of organs."

Mr. Hoa also raised the question: "If there are regulations, who will take care of the costs? If storage is damaged or unpredictable, it will be very difficult to handle legal proceedings later. Therefore, I do not agree to store sperm and eggs."

Delegate To Van Tam (Quang Ngai) also pointed out that the draft has provisions for resolving the desire to donate human tissues and organs, but the draft does not have provisions for resolving the desire to preserve eggs and sperm. He suggested that the drafting committee study and supplement it to make it more complete and perfect.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dai-bieu-ban-khoan-viec-cho-pham-nhan-luu-tru-trung-va-tinh-trung-20251112091229612.htm