The government has pledged to repeal laws that prevent HIV-infected people from starting families through surrogacy. (Pexels)
The British government has committed to repealing a law that previously prevented people living with HIV from becoming parents through surrogacy.
Minister Maria Caulfield MP announced the progressive change to the law during a discussion on IVF provision in Parliament on Tuesday (October 24).
This new legislation allows people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load – meaning they cannot pass on HIV – to donate eggs or sperm for surrogacy.
The British government has committed to repealing a law that previously prevented people living with HIV from becoming parents through surrogacy. (Getty)
The National AIDS Trust has been advocating for these changes for several years. Her campaign has received huge support over the last 18 months, with hundreds signing a petition, writing to their MPs and marching in support at London Pride.
Under Parliament’s proposed changes, it will no longer be unlawful for couples (same-sex or mixed-sex) living with HIV to use a surrogate mother, or for a person receiving a gamete donation from a friend or relative living with HIV .
Minister Caulfield said in Parliament on Tuesday: “I am pleased to announce that, following the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs, the Government will introduce secondary legislation to enable the donation of gametes to people.” with HIV whose viral load is undetectable; We will roll this out as soon as possible.
“We will also address the current discriminatory definitions of partner donation, which result in additional screening costs for female same-sex couples undergoing reciprocal IVF; Here too, changes will be introduced through legal regulations as quickly as possible.”
The National AIDS Trust has been advocating for these changes for several years. (Juliane Liebermann/Unsplash)
Deborah Gold, CEO of the National AIDS Trust, welcomed the change in the law, saying in a statement: “After years of campaigning on this issue, we heard this morning that the government has finally committed in Parliament to changing the discriminatory law that prevents many LGBT people from living together.” HIV through starting a family.
“The Government’s decision follows the scientific evidence and we now call on them to quickly follow through on their commitment and bring forward secondary legislation to remove these provisions from the statute book as quickly as possible.
“This change will transform the lives of some people living with HIV who have previously been denied the opportunity to become parents through fertility treatments.”
On the National AIDS Trust campaign page, two aspiring parents have shared their stories and explained why legislative changes like this are so important.
A man named Andrew says: “The whole thing just feels so dated. I’m on treatment, which means the HIV is undetectable in my body and I can’t pass it on, so this law doesn’t even have to exist.
“I was told I couldn’t have my own biological child even though there was no reason for that. It feels like the government is essentially forcing infertility on LGBT+ people living with HIV.”
Meanwhile, another man named Noel says: “I want to be a parent like everyone else – my motivations are no different than the rest of the world.” I would like to be a parent. It’s just something I’d like to do, it’s not that unusual. The law prevents me from having the future I would like to have with a family.”
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Source : www.thepinknews.com