The HRNL was established to remedy infertility in the coming years. The research program started in July this year and is set to last until 2023. The support from the government came in at HUF 2.5 billion.
“Infertility is a huge problem in every civilized country. Excessive reproduction is a problem in overpopulated countries, and low birth rates are a problem in many western countries,” says Gábor Kovács.
Fifteen percent of couples who want a child cannot achieve this goal. This means that 100-150,000 couples in the country want a child. Based on the average family size, there are 300,000 missing children in the world today. The Hungarian government will not stop until it has altered the country’s demographic course for the better.
The team will research three major groups: the causes of reproductive problems before, during and after conception, as events can occur in all three stages that make it impossible to have a successful child.
The most ambitious element of the research is the possibility of uterine and ovarian transplantation. This would allow women who have had to have their uterus removed due to tumors or other complications to have their own biological child after the procedure. This type of procedure has never been available in Hungary before.
Along with research, the HRNL is striving for innovative products to be created. Professor Kovács said: “It is very important that in addition to scientific results, innovative products are born.” A genetic test system will be developed to determine the optimal period of uterine uptake to help increase the success of artificial insemination.
This is not the first of the government’s programs to help increase the birth rate in the country and aid families. The government has focused on stopping the decline of Hungary’s population. The Family Protection Action Plan has been devoting 4.8 percent of GDP to supporting families and encouraging childbirth since 2019.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has nearly doubled its support for families since 2010. Last year, the government announced its support of infertile couples. Six fertility clinics were acquired to make the fertility diagnostics, medications, and treatments free of charge.
Most recently the government announced it will cover half of renovation costs of homes for families with kids. Also reducing the VAT on newly built homes from 27 percent to 5 percent.