Hong Kong should require a double-check mechanism for all embryo biopsy procedures and overhaul its reproductive technology law, the city’s largest political party has proposed following a rare mix-up of specimens at a fertility clinic.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) made the call on Thursday, nearly a month after the Council on Human Reproductive Technology suspended most operations at Heal Fertility in Central after discovering that embryo biopsy specimens sent for genetic testing belonged to the wrong parents.
DAB lawmaker Nixie Lam Lam said the existing mandatory two-person verification process did not cover every stage of embryo biopsy handling, and warned that the current incident-reporting guidelines lacked statutory backing.
“We suggest amending the code of practice so that every single step – from sample extraction, sealing, and transport, all the way to laboratory receiving – requires two-person verification and record-keeping,” she said.
The Council on Human Reproductive Technology, a statutory body established in 2001, regulates the city’s reproductive technology procedures and embryo research.
Healthcare institutions providing reproductive technology procedures must hold licences issued by the council. Currently, 13 public and 15 private organisations are licensed.