China studying surrogate motherhood

China is studying surrogate motherhood but a ban on the medical procedure remains in effect, an official of the Chinese Ministry of Health said. The official told a news conference most experts think surrogate motherhood will create serious legal, ethical and social problems, China's official Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday. "The MOH has ordered related institutions to conduct research on assisted reproductive technology regulations and invited experts on medicine, law, ethics and sociology to discuss surrogate motherhood and related topics," the Ministry of Health official said. However, he added the procedure has been banned since 2001. He said most experts believe surrogacy disturbs the ethical order of society and may cause physical or psychological harm to surrogate mothers and their children.