The Ministry of Health issued a circular on Thursday calling for health departments and supervisory bodies to exert more control over assisted reproductive technology and sperm banks.

It said there should be strict punishments for institutions practicing assisted reproductive technology and setting up sperm banks without the ministry's approval.

Medical institutions that have been approved by the government will also be punished if found violating technical standards or ethical principles, or operating beyond their remits.

The ministry recently assessed more than 70 institutions in 23 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Operations at a sperm bank in a hospital affiliated to the family planning institute of Chongqing Municipality, in southwest China, were suspended due to undisclosed malpractice.

By the end of December, the ministry had approved for 37 institutions to employ assisted reproductive technology and for five to set up sperm banks.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2005)