Egypt conservatives want fake hymen banned

CAIRO, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Conservative Egyptian politicians are calling for a ban on a Chinese mail-order product designed to help women feign virginity.

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which controls 20 percent of the seats in the Egyptian parliament, said the Artificial Virginity Hymen Kit, which involves a pouch inserted into the vagina to release a blood-like liquid emulating the breaking of the hymen, should be banned and anyone caught selling it should be arrested, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

"Egyptian girls are normally afraid to lose their virginity before marriage," Sayed Askar, a lawmaker with the Muslim Brotherhood, said on the floor of parliament. "A product like that can make it easier and tempting for girls who don't have strong wills to commit such a sin. It will be a crying shame and a blot on the government if they allow the selling of this product in our markets."

Lina Samaan, an Egyptian accountant, said the controversy brings cultural double-standards to the forefront.

"Sex is a right for every woman but unfortunately we started turning to products like these because men -- even non-religious ones who have sex before marriage -- wouldn't marry a girl if she's not virgin," she said.