Ukrainian parliament approves bill overturning ban on using frozen biomaterial of fallen soldiers

On February 7, Ukrainian parliament passed a bill unblocking the use of frozen sperm from fallen soldiers, says deputy Yaroslav Zheliezniak.

What is the problem?

On November 22, Ukrainian parliament  adopted a bill that requires the state to provide soldiers with free reproductive cell collection and preservation.

However, social media started a discussion that the draft law allegedly prohibits the use of military sperm after a soldier's death. Starting in March 2024, clinics will be obliged to dispose of their biomaterial.

Lawyer Olena Babych started the public discussion of the disposal issue. She said that her client had been denied the use of sperm from a deceased husband who had donated it for cryopreservation and packed all the necessary documents before going to the front.

What is the solution?

The health ministry explained that cryobanks will not use the biological material, as the law does not provide for the possibility "a legislative conflict that will be resolved as soon as possible."

Ukrainian parliament registered a bill that would allow the reproductive cells to be stored and used for the birth of children.

How does it work?

The reproductive cells of a soldier will now be stored in a cryobank for three years. If necessary, this period can be extended by an authorized person.

The law also gives veterans the right to dispose of their own reproductive cells in case of death.

Deceased soldiers will be officially recognized as parents of a child conceived using frozen biomaterial.

If a person disposed of his reproductive cells before this law came into force, the use of assisted reproductive technologies would be approved.

The war is a daily threat for Ukrainian troops, so more civilians are thinking about cryopreservatio, or freezing the genetic material.

Rubryka found out how such a procedure takes place, how much it can cost for the military, and what legal issues may arise when a child is born without a biological father or mother.