Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 697184,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/697184/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 303,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Bill addresses the fears that some of us have. First of all, there is the fear of misuse. That has been addressed very well in Clause 5 on the establishment of the Authority. If there is no one who will oversee all the happenings in that area, then it would be prone to abuse. However, if you look at Part 3, this Bill has actually outlined all the prohibited activities; that you cannot just take an embryo and use it for any other purpose than to procreate. It expressly states so that you cannot put an embryo of any other thing apart from a human being in the womb of another woman. These are some of the fears that we are looking at. Of course, it has to be certified by a medical practitioner who has a licence from the Authority. A person must have a licence to be able carry out this process. Additionally, for someone to be able to go through an IVF, she must get the consent from the doctor. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, why the consent? First of all, they must be able to demonstrate that this woman cannot conceive naturally or this man cannot impregnant a woman naturally. With that written consent, someone can move to getting an IVF. The issue of written consent is very important because we do not want illegal harvesting of sperms or commercialisation of sperms. That is very important because we, as a country, do not want unauthorised sperm banks. So, it would be very important that we have the legal framework under which this works. That way, we will not have issues of someone saying someone took his sperms without his consent. The written consent is very clear. It even looks at what would happen if that person dies or what would happen if a child is born. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 23 is on circumstances under which assisted reproductive technology is precluded. It is very categorical that a person cannot use it to speculate. For example, a person cannot take sperms and open a bank for purpose of selling to other people. That cannot happen because the regulations are very clear. This Bill addresses the issue of minors. One cannot go through an IVF if she is a minor. I know we are looking at a very interesting Bill in my Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in terms of children who have got children. The minimum age is 18 years and has to be proved. I know these issues would be discussed in the relevant Committee. Clause 25 says:- “No person shall obtain a sperm or ovum from a donor under 18 years of age or use any sperm or ovum obtained from a donor under 18 years of age except for the future human procreation by the minor.” That is a contentious issue from this Bill, but I know it will be interrogated in the relevant Committee. This is because we must draw up the proper legal framework that one cannot just harvest now to use in the future. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Bill also looks at how the Authority will issue or not issue licences. In fact, Clause 26 outlines six reasons to be followed when issuing a licence. The issue of human cloning is a very contentious issue worldwide. I am sure this has been outlawed. I would be looking to see that during, maybe, the Committee stage we would have the issue of the consequences of what happens if someone goes that way. If you look at Part 4 of the Rights of Parents, Donors and Children, the one thing this Bill does is that it equalises the children of this country. If you remember, Chair, during the last Session, I moved the Bill that was supporting adoptive leave for mothers,"
}