Hong Kong plans to cancel storage time limits for gametes and embryos intended for personal use, with a legislative bill tabled for scrutiny on Wednesday.

The proposed amendment, gazetted on Friday, will allow individuals to determine the storage duration of their gametes or embryos based on their health and other circumstances.

This change, aimed at better facilitating reproductive autonomy, is set to take effect on Dec 1, if passed in the legislature.

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Under the current regulations, gametes or embryos for personal use can generally be stored for a maximum of 10 years. For patients who have been rendered infertile as a result of medical treatments, the maximum storage period for embryos for personal use is 10 years, and for gametes is 10 years or until the patient reaches 55 years of age, whichever period is longer.

The government gazetted the Human Reproductive Technology (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 and Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2025 on Friday.

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The Council on Human Reproductive Technology will amend the Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology and Embryo Research (Code) accordingly, effective at the same time as the Amendment Regulation and the Notice.

The council will include new operational measures in the amended code. These measures will require individuals who have stored their gametes or embryos for personal use for five years or more to undergo further counselling before they can extend storage. This step ensures they are fully aware of the medical risks and considerations involved. A one-year grace period will be provided to implement these arrangements.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com