Rada amends controversial law that banned the use of sperm from fallen soldiers
7 February 2024 18:24
On 7 February, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a bill that allows the use of reproductive cells of fallen soldiers for the purpose of fertilisation. This was announced by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, reports 
Amendments to the scandalous Law 8011 were introduced by Bill No. 10448.
The law now provides for
- free storage of a serviceman’s reproductive cells for 3 years after his death;
- the possibility to extend the storage after that at the expense of the person specified in the order.
An individual whose reproductive cells are stored in accordance with the law has the right to dispose of them in the event of his or her death.
If these cells are used for fertilisation, this person will be recognised as the father or mother of the child born.
Law and scandal
Law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Ensuring the Right of Military Personnel and Other Persons to Biological Paternity (Maternity)” Was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on 22 November 2023.
It provided for the termination of storage and subsequent disposal of reproductive cells of a person who died or was declared dead. This law was to enter into force on 22 March 2024.
In paragraph 3 of the law’s Final and Transitional Provisions, MPs added the following provision: “in the event of the death or declaration of death in accordance with the established procedure of a person whose reproductive cells are stored, their storage is terminated with further disposal”, authored by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, Medical Care and Medical Insurance Mykhailo Radutskyi.
According to this provision, it turned out that the widows of deceased servicemen would not be able to use their sperm, which was specially stored in case of their death. This led to public outrage.
