Is social egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) for single women permissible in Islam? A perspective from Singapore

Abstract

Elective egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) for fertility preservation - commonly referred to as social egg freezing or non-medical egg freezing, will be permitted in Singapore from 2023. There is a need for clear religious directives on social egg freezing for the minority Muslim population in Singapore, due to conflicting Fatwas on this medical procedure that were issued in different Islamic countries, in particular Egypt and Malaysia. Although social egg freezing would be beneficial for the fertility preservation of many single Muslim women who are unable to start a family due to various personal circumstances, there are also various potential risks and harms of this medical procedure at the individual and societal level. Hence, based on Maqasid Al-Shariah, by which preventing harm takes precedence over securing benefit in medical treatment (Tadawi), it is posited that social egg freezing should be classified as Makruh, which is permissible but discouraged in Islam.