This law introduces previously unseen measures, including penalties for deceitfully carrying a pregnancy on behalf of another person and granting individuals below or above the required age.
The most severe offence in the law published in the official Gazette recently is outlined in Article 98, which addresses providing assisted reproductive technology to alter human genetic material.
Anyone convicted of this crime is subject to imprisonment of no less than 20 years but not more than 25 years, and a fine of no less than Frw 40 million but not more than Frw 50 million.
Other offences covered by the law include performing medical procedures that involve placing non-human embryos or gametes into a woman's reproductive system. Those found guilty face 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of Frw 20 million to Frw 25 million.
The law also punishes any medical professional who imports or exports gametes or embryos unlawfully, with sentences of 7 to 10 years in prison and fines of Frw 10 million to Frw 15 million.
Similarly, a doctor who provides assisted reproductive technology services aimed at choosing the sex of an unborn child faces six months to one year in prison and a fine of Frw 5 million to Frw 7 million.
Furthermore, the law states that placing gametes or embryos in a woman's reproductive system without full and verifiable donor identity constitutes a criminal offence. Those convicted face six months to one year in prison and a fine of Frw 2 million to Frw 5 million.
Medical facilities are also held accountable under the new regulations. A facility that matches donors and recipients who are closely related by blood â€" up to the seventh degree of kinship â€" is liable to a fine ranging from Frw 5 million to Frw 10 million, along with the possible suspension of assisted reproductive services for three to six months.
Similarly, a facility that accepts anonymous or unlawfully obtained gametes or embryos, or uses gametes and embryos from individuals who are underage or above the permissible age, may face fines between Frw 2 million and Frw 10 million and suspension of services for one to six months.
Facilities that supply gametes or embryos from a single donor to more than one recipient are also subject to the same penalties.
The law further identifies other serious breaches, including using non-human genetic material, importing or exporting gametes or embryos illegally, manipulating human genetic material, and selecting a child's sex through medical technology.
Facilities found guilty of these offences may be fined no less than Frw 80 million but not more than Frw 100 million, and their authorization to provide assisted reproductive technology services may be suspended for one to three years.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/a-look-at-penalties-for-fraudulent-surrogacy-services-in-rwanda
