Article 13 of the Saudi Fertility Units Law
المادة 13 من نظام وحدات الإخصاب والأجنة وعلاج العقم · الباب الأول: أحكام عامة
The article bars fertility units from conducting research on sperm, ova, zygotes and embryos unless the sample owners and the Supervisory Committee have approved, subject to the relevant regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة ما تقضي به الأنظمة ذات العلاقة، لا يجوز لوحدات الإخصاب والأجنة وعلاج العقم إجراء أبحاث تتعلق بالنطف والبييضات واللقائح والأجنة، إلا بعد الحصول على موافقة الأشخاص الذين أخذت منهم العينات وموافقة لجنة الإشراف .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 13 explained in plain English
This article regulates conducting research in fertility units:
- Subject of the research: sperm, ova, zygotes and embryos.
- The rule: units are not permitted to conduct this research.
- The exception: after obtaining two approvals together:
- The approval of the persons from whom the samples were taken.
- The approval of the Supervisory Committee.
- General restriction: all of this is subject to what the relevant regulations provide, so the two approvals do not replace compliance with other regulations.
The approval of the sample owners alone is not enough, and neither is the approval of the Committee alone; both approvals are required. The article does not state the form of the sample owners' approval or the procedures for requesting the Committee's approval.
The terms are defined in Article 1: sperm is a man's semen, a zygote is the ovum fertilized by the husband's sperm, and an embryo is the fertilized ovum that has divided during the first two weeks.
This article follows Article 12, which requires absolute confidentiality of patient information, and precedes Article 14, which obliges units to submit an annual report to the Supervisory Committee containing comprehensive statistics and a statement of the cases examined and treated.
A person who wants to verify whether using their samples in research is lawful may consult a lawyer who specializes in health regulations.
Practical example
A research team at a university hospital in Riyadh wants to study ova left over from some patients' treatment. It may not begin until the patients from whom the samples were taken have approved and the Supervisory Committee has approved, subject to the relevant regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Fertility Units Law
Can a fertility center use my samples for research?
Only after obtaining the approval of the persons from whom the samples were taken and the approval of the Supervisory Committee, subject to the relevant regulations.
Is the patient's consent enough for research to go ahead?
No. The approval of the Supervisory Committee is also required.
Which samples does the article cover?
Sperm, ova, zygotes and embryos.
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The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.