• Who we are
• What we do
• Committees and papers
  • Appeals Committee
  • Appointments Committee
  • Audit and Governance Committee
  • The Authority
  • Ethics and Standards Committee
  • Horizon Scanning Panel
  • Licence Committees and the Executive Licensing Panel
  • Remuneration Committee
  • Register Research Panel
  • Statutory Approvals Committee (SAC)
  • Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC)
  • Archived committees
• Our public events
• Requesting information
• How we work with others

A summary of the one hundred and nineteenth meeting of the
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority on 25th July 2002

Matters arising from the June meeting

The minutes of the June meeting were approved subject to several minor alterations.

Members confirmed they had checked their interests on the website and that these were accurate. Recommendations on the issue of 'conflict of interest' would be considered by the Authority at the September meeting.

Members considered an analysis carried out on seven centres with regard to the number of embryos usually transferred in a cycle. This prompted a fuller discussion about the circumstances in which it was appropriate to transfer more than two embryos. This matter would need to be clarified in the next Code of Practice and it was agreed that it would be useful to convene a wider group of experts to advise Authority.

The HFEA response to a Department of Health consultation on donor anonymity had been published on the website.

HFEA involvement in an MRC working party on stem cells was discussed. It was noted that an ad hoc working group had been formed to consider patient information and consent forms for those considering donating embryos for tem cell research.

The Business Plan would be discussed at the next OFC meeting and brought to the Authority at the September meeting.

Chairman's Report

The Chair reported on her recent meeting with the Minister at which it made clear that the HFEA had to modernise if it was to retain public credibility and parliamentary support.

The recommendations of the QQR report had to be implemented and the immediate priorities should include moving towards an independant inspectorate, reviewing the Code of Practice and making the HFEA a more transparent organisation.

The Code of Practice was presently being updated. The value of recruiting inspectors with appropriate expertise was recognised but Members felt it was crucial to note the continuity, corporate knowledge, credibility and authority they brought with them to inspections.

Concern was expressed that Members would lose sight of what was going on and would not be able to ensure that Authority policy was being applied if they ceased to play a role in inspections. It was agreed that this problem would not arise if they were to play an 'observer' role.

The Chief Executive's Report

An investigative piece in the Sunday Times on 'designer babies' had made it clear that the Code of Practice needed to be clarified in relation to the matching of gametes. The article had reported that a number of clinics had been shown to adhere to prospective parents' wish to use gametes not necessarily a match to their own characteristics. Questions had been asked in parliament about whether this contradicted the Code of Practice..

A number of factors had been taken into account when drafting the Code of Practice. Specifically, there had been reluctance to make it too restrictive in view of the shortage of donors. Members agreed that the pertinent sections of Code of Practice were not clear and should be re-drafted. In the meantime a letter should be written to clinics giving the HFEA view; and the clinics named in the report would be contacted to see if any breach had been made.

Hampshire

Members were updated on the criminal prosecution of an embryologist and Person Responsible in Hampshire case. It was anticipated that the cases would come to court in the Autumn.

ICSI research

Members noted that a joint working group had been formed to look at the need for epidemiological research in the ART field and to advise on the possible funding of studies by the MRC. Christine Gosden and Tom Baldwin had been invited to take part.

Finance Update

Members noted that the 2001/02 Accounts had been laid before Parliament,

Corporate Governance

The Audit Committee Chair, informed members that the Committee had already approved the recommendations emanating from the Corporate Governance Report as far as they fell within the Committee's remit.

• The recommendation that members should not serve on both the Organisation and Fees Committee and Audit Committee was supported in principle but it was not practicable at this time because of the shortage of members with financial experience;
  The recommendation that the Audit Committee has an independent external member on board would be considered further by the Audit Committee.
• Members were informed that a recommendation to set up a working party to consider and agree minimum data sets would be tied in with the Register Project and would be the top priority for the Project Steering Group.

The HFEA committee structure needs to be reviewed and it was agreed that the Chair, Chief Executive and Jane Denton, as Chair of the present sub-committees, meet to discuss this.

Comment on Reproductive Ethics - Judicial Review

Members were informed that CORE had successfully re-applied for a judicial review of HFEA's policy decision in December 1999 to allow HLA typing in conjunction with PGD. Having taken a considered view at that time, after carrying out the due processes, members were satisfied that they were within their powers under the Act. The case would be heard in September 2002.

Regulation

The chief executive outlined proposals for a new regulatory process to reflect changing practice. With an increased budget for regulation for the 2002/2003 year short term operational improvements would be made, including:

• A separation of the inspection and licensing functions;
• Recruitment of staff with appropriate expertise;
• Proposals for a professional inspectorate;
• An enhanced and evidence based inspection process;
• Proposals for legal support to licensing committees.

The longer term would see further improvements as detailed in the paper including training and an on-going education programme for inspectors and licensing staff, a standing licence committees and a streamlining of the licensing process. 

Authority Business Plan 2002/2003

Members discussed the diary of events for Authority and asked for the following changes/additions to be made:

• The revised Code of Practice should be moved from the January meeting to the November meeting;
• The Annual Report should be moved from the November meeting to the October meeting
• A committee structure should be included in the plan to be brought to the Authority by November

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Authority meeting is 26 September 2002.

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

• Send to a friend