PMA, GPA, conservation of gametes… what does the bioethics bill contain?

“Family patterns have changed.” This was essentially the message from the Minister of Health Agnès Buzyn to the Parisian on its bioethics bill, also carried by the Keeper of the Seals Nicole Belloubet and the Minister of Higher Education and Research Frédérique Vidal, and presented this Wednesday, July 24 in the Council of Ministers. Once this step has been passed, the deputies will examine the text on September 24 for a vote in early 2020. On the program, opening of the PMA to female couples, preservation of gametesGPA, embryo research and post-mortem inseminations.

Concerning the sensitive subject of medically assisted procreation (PMA), the latter, hitherto reserved for heterosexual couples unable to have children, should soon be accessible to couples of women and single people, i.e. 2,000 more women compared to to the 150,000 assisted reproduction attempts carried out each year in France. “This new right responds to a societal demand and we will secure their journey”, explains Agnès Buzyn to the Parisian. All women will be fully reimbursed by social security. “This is the condition for this right to become a reality. Today, we know that couples of women who plan to become parents go abroad and only those who have the means can do so… It is not not normal,” she continues.

In order “not to upset the current law of filiation”, homosexual couples will have to go to the notary to register an “advance declaration of will”. “It is the recognition that they undertake to become parents of the unborn child, an anticipated recognition of filiation”, specifies Nicole Belloubet. At birth, the two mothers will present the child to the civil registrar and will both be recognized as parents. This advance declaration will be mentioned on the full birth certificate. This mention will thus only be reserved for children born by assisted reproduction within a lesbian couple. “The rules currently applicable to children born of donations in heterosexual couples, which are based on biological likelihood, already secure the filiation of these children, a modification of these rules was not necessary”, explains the Keeper of the Seals, specifying that only the child and his parents will have access to the full birth certificate.

Surrogacy remains prohibited

And since many people born from assisted reproduction with a donor want to know more about their biological origin as adults, the bill provides that the child born from a donation will now be able to have access to data non-identifying (age, physical characteristics) or the identity of the donor, as desired, when he reaches majority. On the other hand, “the one who gives will still not know to whom his sperm goes”, specifies Nicole Belloubet.

But if the bill provides for a relaxation of the PMA, surrogacy (GPA) remains formally prohibited. “We can’t go back on it,” insists the Minister of Justice, conceding however that the adoption process should be accelerated.

While the French tend to have children later and later, the bill provides for authorizing, in a supervised manner, a woman to freeze her oocytes or a man his sperm. Thus, for those who are slow to find what suits them, this option will allow both sexes to have children at a later age despite a decline in fertility. At present, this self-preservation is only possible for medical reasons, for people with cancer for example. From now on, this should probably be possible from the age of 35. If the medical act will be reimbursed, the costs of conservation (approximately 100 euros per year) will be borne by individuals.

Streamline authorization requests in the context of embryonic stem cells

Another very sensitive subject: that of research on the embryo and stem cells derived from a human embryo, which raises many ethical questions. With their text of law, the ministers would like to lighten the authorization requests in the context of embryonic stem cells. “Therapies are underway, it was becoming important to simplify the process”, explains Frédérique Vidal, referring to the need to facilitate clinical trials on the retina to treat eye diseases or even heart failure and heart disease. liver. “The text does not allow drift!”, She assures in order to counter any criticism of eugenics.

Another thorny subject, post-mortem inseminations. They are not desired by the government, but it is the Council of State which recommended lifting the ban. Thus, the frozen sperm of a deceased man could therefore eventually be used to fertilize an egg in his spouse. However, the latter will have to receive “medical and psychological support”.

65% of French people for the extension of PMA to lesbian couples

The extension of medically assisted procreation to female couples and single women was part of candidate Macron’s presidential campaign promises. By announcing the imminence of this bill in mid-June, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he was “convinced that we can reach a form of serene debate” after the national controversy over marriage for all at the start of the Dutch five-year term.

“I would be very surprised if the debate had the (same) tone” this time, advanced the minister, observing “that there are people on the right who say they are in favor” of the opening of the PMA, while they were very few to have come out in favor of homosexual marriage. Despite his hopes, various groups close to the Manif pour tous have planned a demonstration in Paris on July 24.

Remember that according to the latest survey on the subject, published Tuesday, July 23, respectively 61% and 65% of French people are in favor of extending PMA to lesbian couples and single women.