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04 October 2002

To: All Persons Responsible

Dear Colleague,

Re: Selecting donated gametes for treatment.

I am writing to clarify the HFEA's position regarding selecting donated gametes for treatment, in light of recent articles, that have been brought to the HFEA's attention.  Concerns have been raised about the practices of selecting donated gametes for treatment, at some licensed centres, likening them to ?eugenics'.

As part of the HFEA's review of the Code of Practice, it was felt that section 3.18, which provides guidance to centres on the selection of donated gametes for treatment no longer reflects current HFEA policy and should be revised to eradicate any ambiguities.

The current wording in the 5th Edition of the Code has been revised to state:

"Where treatment is provided for a man and woman together, centres should strive as far as possible to match the physical characteristics and ethnic background of the donor to those of the infertile partner (or in the case of embryo donation, to both partners) unless there are good reasons for departing from this.

When discussing the selection of potential donors, centres should be sensitive to the wishes of those seeking treatment for information, whilst avoiding the possibility that this information could be used to select a donor possessing certain characteristics for reasons that are incompatible with or not relevant to the welfare of the child.  For example, those seeking treatment should not be treated with gametes provided by a donor of a different racial origin unless there are compelling reasons for doing so.  Those seeking treatment with donated gametes (or embryos) should also be advised that no guarantees can be given where an attempt is made to match physical characteristics".

This wording will be incorporated into the 6th Edition of the Code of Practice.

Yours sincerely

Dr Maureen Dalziel
Chief Executive

Page last updated: 23 March 2009

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