Hong Kong police have arrested 10 people for allegedly providing services related to surrogacy and sex selection of embryos overseas.
A total of four men and six women – aged between 30 and 70 – were arrested during raids on an office in Central and their homes on Friday and Saturday on suspicion of violating the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance, the police force said in a statement.
Following a tip-off that a local company was promoting surrogacy and sex-selection services on two websites, police found that it was soliciting customers in Hong Kong, according to the Saturday statement.
“After discussing service arrangements, signing service contracts, and receiving service fees, the company would arrange for customers to go overseas for egg retrieval, sperm collection, embryo cultivation, sex selection of the embryos, and surrogate services,” police said.
All suspects have been released on bail, and the two websites have been taken down, the police said.
“The police remind the public that anyone who violates the provisions regarding sex selection of embryos, surrogacy arrangements, or promotion of such services is committing an offence,” the police said.
According to Section 15 of the ordinance, it is unlawful to use reproductive technology to select the sex of an embryo unless it is to avoid a sex-linked genetic disease.
Section 17 of the ordinance prohibits Hong Kong residents from being involved in commercial surrogacy in the city or elsewhere.
The maximum penalty for violating Sections 15 or 17 of the ordinance is a fine of HK$25,000 and imprisonment for six months.
