The commission also expects to discover new prenatal diagnostic technology to prevent birth defects and new measures to prevent and cure sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

Research is also on tap into the prevention and control of gynecological diseases, breast cancer and prostate illnesses.

A nationwide information network will be set up to collect reports on the adverse effects of some contraceptives and disseminate the information to help more people select methods they like, said Xiao Shaobo, director of science and technology development with the commission.

Xiao said the commission set the goal in response to public demands for fewer but healthier births and for better reproductive health.

The latest nationwide investigation done by the commission indicates that the most urgent demand of people at child-bearing ages is for safe contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies. That's followed by provisions to ensure the birth of healthy babies and then the desire for more facilities to help maintain bodily health.

Another survey by the commission shows that health conditions for Chinese women are improving but that more must be done.

The survey, conducted among 16,000 women aged 15 to 49, revealed that 44.3 percent of the women knew very little about menstruation before they started their periods.

Nine per cent of women aged 15-19 reported gynecological problems. The rate climbed to 30 percent among women aged 30-34 and to 35 percent among women over 35.

The lack of reproductive knowledge has affected the health of the next generation, experts said. About 200,000 babies are born each year with health defects, 1.3 percent of all newborns.

(China Daily 07/12/2001)