Ukrainian soldiers can store their reproductive cells in cryobanks for free

On November 22, the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, adopted a bill according to which the state must provide Ukrainian defenders with free retrieval and preservation of reproductive cells. 

Rubryka reports, citing the Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

What's the problem?

The explanatory note to the bill said that, as a result of the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian defenders, both men and women, suffer injuries leading to the loss of their reproductive functions. These injuries deprive these citizens of the opportunity to become biological parents, significantly limiting their right to parenthood. This problem is particularly relevant for young people.

Ukrainian legislation, including acts setting social guarantees for soldiers and those equated to them, does not provide for the free retrieval and storage of germ cells.

This situation is dangerous for preserving the nation and its gene pool in the current circumstances when thousands of children, servicemen, and civilians are dying due to the war, and over 6 million Ukrainians, the majority of whom are women and children, have been forced to leave their homeland.

What's the solution?

The parliament approved bill No. 8011, "On Ensuring the Rights of War Participants to Biological Post-Traumatic Parenthood," in its entirety.

271 members of parliament voted in favor of this legislative initiative.

How does it work?

The document provides that Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel will have the opportunity to retrieve and store their reproductive cells free of charge. This procedure is necessary so that, in the event of an injury on the front affecting reproductive functions, both men and women can later have children.

Reproductive cells will be preserved using cryopreservation. They will be frozen by immersing the biomaterial in liquid nitrogen at a very low temperature.

Egg cells, spermatozoa, and embryos preserved in this way can be stored for many years.

The explanatory note to the bill also indicates that, according to medical facilities' calculations, the cost of retrieving germ cells is approximately:

• About ₴450 for men
• About ₴1425 for women

The necessary medical examinations before germ cell retrieval in healthy citizens can be carried out during the military medical commission.

After nearly three years of the experimental stage, the Ukrainian government, Cabinet of Ministers, adopted a resolution on "YeMaliatko," making this service permanent. Today, 89% of parents choose this service when registering the birth of a child.

Rubryka also reported that almost every woman has a story about advice from doctors or acquaintances to give birth and magically forget about all illnesses. Regardless of the complaint, the answer is the same: give birth, and it will pass.

But do acne and rashes on the skin indeed disappear after pregnancy? Does childbirth help reduce the risk of breast cancer, and does pregnancy increase a woman's chances of improving her health? In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Rubryka debunks popular myths related to pregnancy and women's health. Read more in our article: "Give birth, and it will pass': debunking common hospital office myths."