IVF clinics in Ukraine enjoy huge interest. Nadiia wants to give birth to her deceased husband's child

Nadiia Litowczenko, whose husband died on the front, intends to use his frozen biological material to have another child, seeing it as a continuation of the Ukrainian nation. In Ukraine, posthumous reproduction is not legally regulated but not prohibited either, requiring compliance with clinic agreements. Since the war's onset, IVF clinics in Ukraine have seen a surge in interest, with some receiving sperm from up to 10 soldiers weekly. Ukraine had one of the world's lowest fertility rates even before the war, with the UN predicting a 20% population decline by 2050. The war could exacerbate this, as infertility rates, particularly among military personnel, are rising due to injuries, toxic substances, radiation, stress, malnutrition, and hyperemia.

The drought-hit regions that Spain forgot

Residents of Pozoblanco in Andalucía, Spain, are facing a severe water crisis due to drought and climate change, with tap water declared unfit for human consumption since April 17, 2023. The crisis affects daily activities such as cooking, brushing teeth, and personal hygiene, with people relying on water tankers for their supply. Social media has become a platform for residents to share their struggles, and local civil society groups are actively protesting for a resolution. The local government has proposed a €15 million project to address the issue, but residents and activists are skeptical, demanding long-term solutions and decontamination of water pipes. The article highlights the plight of the 80,000 inhabitants of the los Pedroches and el Guadiato regions, who feel neglected by national authorities and media.

In vitro boom in Ukraine

The article discusses the increasing trend of Ukrainian soldiers freezing their sperm at in vitro clinics due to the ongoing war with Russia. The soldiers, facing the risk of death or injury, are preserving their biological material to ensure the possibility of having children in the future. The Ukrainian law is currently ambiguous on the use of sperm posthumously, leading to calls for clearer regulations. The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada has passed Law 8011 to finance the freezing of soldiers' biological material during war or state of emergency. The article also touches on the ethical considerations of posthumous reproduction and the personal story of Nadiia Lytovchenko, whose deceased husband had frozen his sperm. Ukrainian fertility rates have been low, and the war has exacerbated the situation, making the preservation of biological material and potential future reproduction even more significant.