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Surrogate mother gives birth ahead of ban
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A WOMAN believed to be Japan's first surrogate mother has given birth for her sterile sister, defying opposition from the authorities who are planning to ban such arrangements.
The treatment was done by Suwa Maternity Clinic in Shimosuwa Town, about 150 kilometres northwest of Tokyo, although actual delivery was made at a nearby hospital.
"The baby was born in good health this spring," gynecologist Yahiro Netsu told a televised news conference at his clinic on Saturday.
The genetic mother of the baby could not give birth because her womb had been surgically removed. Netsu took an egg from her, fertilised it with her husband's sperm, then transplanted it into the womb of the woman's younger sister who had volunteered to be a surrogate.
The couple and the surrogate mother signed a document over the custody of the new-born baby, Netsu said. The sex of the baby and other details were not released.
Justifying his action, the doctor said all those involved had been willing participants in the arrangement.
"It is against humanity to ignore the affection between the sisters," he said.
"It is only natural for a doctor to help her if a woman, with volunteer spirit, is ready to give birth on behalf of those who do not have wombs."
Netsu is a high-profile gynecologist well known among sterile couples.
He was expelled by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology in August 1998 for carrying out in vitro fertilisation procedures for non-married couples, against the society's rules.
Society chairman Tsutomu Araki on Saturday reiterated opposition to maternal surrogacy.
"We are very worried because the practice could justify the argument that you can do anything in reproductive treatment if patients want it," Araki told the private Fuji Television network.(SD-Agencies)
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