The Shanghai Health Bureau is planning to issue a report to the Ministry of Health on how to deal with the germ cells and sperm samples collected by medical facilities that are unable to receive proper licenses from the central government.

To regulate birth assisting services in China, the ministry published rules on the management of sperm banks and in vitro fertilization technology in August, 2001.

All medical facilities offering the services were required to stop operation and apply for approval from the ministry before resuming business.

By the end of last year, only three local medical facilities had received license to conduct IVF services and run a sperm bank. They are Renji Hospital, Ruijin Hospital and Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital.

"Some 10 facilities applied for the licenses, but only three succeeded," said Li Shanguo, an official with the bureau's women, children and basic health department.

He said the bureau is negotiating with the failing facilities one by one on how to deal with the samples.

"Some hospitals have shut the service, as experts jumped to licensed facilities with the samples. While, there are still facilities unable to solve the crux," Li said.

"We must be especially careful about protecting the samples and the patients' rights." According to Li, the bureau will soon ask for the ministry's direction on how to deal with the situation.

Moreover, there are also disputes over the ministry's regulations concerning sperm banks, which are only defined as public banks that keep sperm samples for infertile couples.

Consequently, local facilities that allow people to store their own sperm claimed they shouldn't be covered by the rule.

Wenzhong Clinic has provided sperm preservation since October last year and it has 10 customers now.

"We are not a public sperm bank but a safe for a man to keep the healthy sperm when he is young and healthy," said Tang Xiaohui, a Wenzhong official.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2005)