During the in-vitro fertilization -- or IVF -- process, extra embryos are frozen for back-up or future use. But many patients in China lose contact with hospitals after treatment. The number of such leftover embryos is on the rise, and hospitals across the country find themselves in a dilemma of how to deal with them. CGTN's Wang Qiwei examines the situation.  

The sound of life heard every three seconds in China.

For each baby born through in vitro fertilization, several extra embryos are in storage.

Although the method brings joy to infertile couples, it creates concerns for hospitals.  

YU QI, DIRECTOR ENDOCRINE AND REPRODUCTIVE GYNECOLOGY CENTER PEKING UNION MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL "The number of leftover embryos increases every year, and we don't have enough room to store these embryos in our hospital."  

Many other hospitals around the country face a similar situation.

Two years ago, a hospital in Luoyang had more than 6,000 unused embryos.

And data shows some other hospitals have even lost contact with 60 percent of the patients.  

WANG QIWEI BEIJING "And this is where those extra embryos end up - frozen in liquid nitrogen inside these tanks. Although freezing one for a year can cost up to three-thousand yuan, or about 440 US dollars, most hospitals still decide to pay the bill."  

YU QI, DIRECTOR ENDOCRINE AND REPRODUCTIVE GYNECOLOGY CENTER PEKING UNION MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL "The hospital has a contract with patients, but from a doctor's point of view, embryos are cultivated through various measures, and have the potential of becoming human beings. Besides, with the two-child policy, some patients may come back to hospital for their embryos. So we feel they are something we can't discard."  

The contracts signed by patients usually state a time period for keeping the extra embryos at the institution.

But many hospitals are still afraid of the legal consequences of discarding them.  

PROFESSOR MI XINLI SCHOOL OF LAW CAPITAL UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS "The law in our country hasn't clearly defined the legal status of embryos, and is incomplete on this issue."  

According to UK law, embryos can be stored for maximum of five years.

While in the US, different states have different legal definitions of frozen embryos. They can be defined as humans, property, or even something in between.

So, what do Chinese think of the issue?  

"Out of humanitarianism, the hospital could keep the embryos for several extra years after the contract expires, but there should be a specific time period."

"The hospital should discard the embryos as long as there is a contract, because they occupy resources and manpower that could be used for other patients."

"I think the debate on this issue mainly results from the lack of a complete law in this field."  

Professor Mi thinks the current situation is influenced by many factors, including law and ethics, so the problem can only be solved step by step.  

PROFESSOR MI XINLI SCHOOL OF LAW CAPITAL UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS "In the long term, the country can specify the maximum time period for embryo storage through legislative measures. Before that, the solution is through contracts. It's better if the country's health authorities can organize experts from both the medical and legal sectors to draft an exemplary contract, and provide it to hospitals."  

While parents experience the miracle of life, law and ethics still need to catch up with technology. WQW, CGTN, Beijing.