China's first two babies conceived from frozen germ cells, a pair of twins, are expected tobe born in May, say sources with the No. 1 Hospital affiliated to Beijing University, which is brewing a plan to build the country'sfirst human germ cell bank.

The expectant mother from eastern Zhejiang Province is among the first to try a state-of-the-art technology that can freeze andstore healthy germ cells for future impregnation. A donor's germ cell, unfrozen and combined with test-tube technology, has helped the woman, who suffers from congenital sterility, conceive the twins.

Six other women, aged between 37 and 47, are carrying babies conceived from frozen germ cells, says Dr. Li Xiaohong with the hospital. She said all the would-be mothers are doing well.

Married women, aged between 22 and 35 and free from infectious and congenital diseases, can apply to store germ cells for future impregnation, according to Dr. Li.

"The germ cell freezing and storage technology is mature enoughin China, but it's only for trial use now," she said. "Wider clinical use has to wait until relevant laws are made, because after all, pregnancy and birth are big issues and have to be protected by law."

She expects lawmakers to take into consideration the equal rights of these de facto "adopted" babies and their parents' obligations.

Dr. Li said about 100 frozen germ cell babies had been born worldwide, and no obvious congenital abnormality had been reported.

To date, several countries have set up human germ cell banks, including the United States, Spain and Argentina.

China has set up several sperm banks to help men achieve fatherhood. Chengdu city in the southwestern province of Sichuan is now seeking volunteers to donate healthy germ cells for future impregnation by women who suffer from congenital sterility or ovarian failure.

The Chinese Ministry of Health has ruled that germ cell donors must undergo a strict medical checkup and each donor can only provide germ cells for five women. Germ cell sales are banned.

Source: Xinhua