Social Egg Freezing for Single Women in China: Legal and Ethical Controversies

Social egg freezing is an emerging topic in China, where single women currently face restrictions in accessing this service at medical facilities. Administrative regulations prohibit single women from accessing all forms of assisted reproductive technologies. Both the first lawsuit filed by a single woman seeking to freeze her eggs and a legislative proposal aiming to protect single women’s rights to access assisted reproductive technologies were denied. This has sparked controversy and discussion about the reproductive rights of single women and the legitimacy of their access to medical and technical assistance. Laws and family planning policies related to women’s reproductive rights in China have undergone dramatic changes in recent years, owing to shifts in population growth trends and societal attitudes toward marriage and childbirth, subsequently leading to a notable enhancement in women’s reproductive autonomy. Meanwhile, factors such as marital status and career considerations have led to a delay in childbearing, triggering a growing need and advocacy for fertility preservation among single women. In China, the pursuit of social egg freezing by single women comes into conflict with the strict regulatory restrictions on assisted reproductive technologies. This study delves into the profound impacts of demographic changes, marital trends, fertility culture, and other social factors on female fertility in China. It also discusses the legislative issues and medical-social ethical concerns associated with the application of social egg freezing for single women. Additionally, this study offers regulatory suggestions aimed at enhancing women’s reproductive health and autonomy, as well as the avoidance of potential ethical risks.