A court in Beijing recently ruled against an unmarried Chinese woman, Teresa Xu, in her fight for the right to freeze her eggs. Xu, 36, had sought this reproductive service for six years, beginning in 2018 when she was told by a hospital that she could not undergo the procedure because she was unmarried, as per Chinese regulations. Despite attempting alternative routes such as egg freezing abroad, the cost proved too high for Xu. She finally took her case to court in 2019, with delays occurring due to the pandemic.
The Chaoyang Intermediate People’s Court ultimately ruled in 2022 that the hospital did not violate Xu’s rights in denying her access to egg freezing services. Despite knowing the low chance of success, Xu decided to appeal the decision in hopes of sparking potential societal change. The court’s judgment, while not in her favor, contained positive language suggesting that changes in medical laws and regulations may occur as the country’s policies on births are adjusted.
Xu expressed her disappointment but also stated that this outcome wasn’t outside of her expectations. She shared her frustration with the hospital offering life advice instead of the professional service she sought. Throughout the legal battle, Xu’s determination to challenge the status quo and advocate for her rights remained strong, despite the eventual ruling against her.
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