Modern Reproductive Medicine: How Reform Can Save Lives

Modern Reproductive Medicine: How Reform Can Save Lives

Modernizing reproductive medicine – a step towards health and self-determination

Reproductive medicine in Germany is facing urgent changes. It is becoming clear that the current laws are not keeping pace with medical options and are therefore affecting the health, self-determination and desire to have children of many people instead of promoting them. This issue not only affects the individual decisions of parents, but also has a direct impact on the health of mothers and children.

The traffic light government must act

Although ministers such as Karl Lauterbach (Health) and Marco Buschmann (Justice) have already taken important legislative initiatives to initiate long-overdue reforms, the situation regarding reproductive self-determination remains worrying. The traffic light government has the responsibility to modernize the laws on reproductive medicine. These measures are crucial for the well-being of many people and the health of future generations.

Unjustified restrictions

A method such as “elective single embryo transfer” (eSET), which is used successfully in other countries, remains banned in Germany. This leads to an increased risk of multiple pregnancies, which pose health risks for both mothers and children. The ban on eSET is based on the questionable protection of embryos, even though they cannot suffer and instead endangers the well-being of mothers and children.

Need for action for progressive legislation

It is urgently necessary that the traffic light government keeps its promises in the coalition agreement and promotes modern legislation on reproductive medicine. These include the partial legalization of abortions, the legalization of egg donation and improved financial support for people who want to have children but need support. These measures are not only ethically sensible, but also economically motivated given the demographic challenges that Germany is facing.

The traffic light government has the opportunity to re-regulate reproductive medicine in Germany and enable people to make self-determined decisions about their reproduction. It is up to her to seize this historic opportunity before a more conservative government postpones it again. The health and well-being of the population must be the focus to ensure fair and forward-looking legislation.