Freeze women’s eggs? But ‘soil’ may be bad, Hong Kong health chief says in fertility debate
- Minister Lo Chung-mau’s comment that a frozen seed may not grow on ‘soil’ that has aged draws strong response from female lawmaker
A debate in the legislature on raising Hong Kong’s fertility rate turned emotional between the health minister and a female lawmaker on Thursday, after the top official suggested that a frozen seed may not grow on “soil” that deteriorates with age.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau also said that he hoped young people would balance their family and career by getting married and having children at an earlier age. Lo was addressing a motion on policies to support assisted reproduction.
Lawmaker Judy Chan Kapui proposed extending the current 10-year storage period for egg freezing, but Lo argued that the measure would not tackle the underlying issue.
“There are physiological limitations to female reproductive age,” Lo said. “While you can preserve the seeds, [women’s] ‘soil’ has already changed with age.”
Lawmaker Nixie Lam Lam, 42, who opted for assisted reproduction and gave birth to her child last year, appeared to get emotional and called Lo’s comment a blow to women.
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“I am unable to have children because of poor ‘soil’?” Lam said. “The way you spoke today, I believe, is also a significant blow to women who do not have fertility issues.
