Call to Reform the WHO Human Reproduction Programme

The ECLJ has been investigating the WHO's Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) for several years. This work has shed light on the activities of this Programme, which was set up in 1971 to support biomedical research into fertility with the aim of reducing population growth. A book was published by Ethics Press (English) and L'Harmattan (French). This investigation shows that the HRP developed the main contraceptives and abortifacients used in the world today, while at the same time disseminating them, supposedly in the name of human rights. Thus, the HRP has moved beyond the field of biomedical research by promoting ideological battles. This trend raises questions about the HRP's alignment with public health priorities.

Faced with this drift, the ECLJ is taking an important initiative by sending WHO member states a letter co-signed by several specialized NGOs: the Center for Family & Human Rights (C-Fam), Juristes pour l'enfance, Le Syndicat de la Famille, One Of Us, and the Transatlantic Christian Council. We call on governments to reform the Human Reproduction Programme (HRP).

In particular, we highlight the growing influence of private funding, notably from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and we are concerned about the impact of this funding on the strategic direction of the Programme. We therefore call on the WHO to assess the impact of private funding and to strengthen the transparency and oversight of the HRP to ensure that it remains true to its public health mission.

We therefore call for the HRP's efforts to be refocused on real and major biomedical issues, such as infertility, while respecting the ethical, legal, and cultural specificities of each country.

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