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A summary of the one hundred and fifth meeting of the
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on 25 January 2001

Matters Arising from minutes of the November Authority Meeting

The minutes of the November meeting were approved.

The Chairman explained that the HFEA/HGC joint working party was looking at the licensing of PGD and discussing any changes to the interim licensing that would be necessary taking into account the responses to the consultation on PGD

The Chairman provided an update on the Hampshire Clinics explaining that there was little to report on this matter at present as the police investigation was ongoing.

The Chairman informed Members that a report had been submitted to the Secretary of State on all frozen material held by centres. The Acting Chief Executive pointed out that the small number of discrepancies reported would be followed up.

The Chairman reported that the HFEA had received notice that an application for leave to seek judicial review had been submitted on the decision previously made by the Authority on the subject of replacing more than three embryos.

The Chairman asked the Department of Health representative to outline the outcome of the debates and votes on the Stem Cell Regulations that had taken place in both Houses. Mike Evans explained that a select committee would be formed to look at the research purposes in greater detail. The Regulations would nonetheless come into force on 31 January 2001.

The Department of Health representative informed Members that an application for judicial review had been instigated by the Pro-Life Alliance with reference to the passing of the Regulations based on the definition of embryo in the HFE Act 1990.

Chairman's Business

The Chairman reported on this year's budget allocation from the Department of Health. Members were informed that the budget was lower than anticipated and certain parts of the proposed HFEA Corporate and Business Plan for 2001/2002 could not be taken forward. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Department of Health informing them of this.

The Chairman outlined an application for the bulk import of sperm from a clinic in America to a licensed centre in the UK. It was agreed that more information should be sought from the importing clinic.

Discussion Papers

Draft 4th revision of the Code of Practice - Paper II
Members reviewed all the changes that had been made to the Code of Practice in preparation for the publication of the fifth edition. The Executive had proposed sending a copy to the Department of Health for consideration by the Secretary of State in advance of the February Authority meeting. Members were content with this proposal. The proposed changes for the Code were approved subject to some minor amendments.

The 4th edition of the HFEA Update
Members approved the contents of the 4th edition of the HFEA Update which is circulated to centres and posted on the HFEA website.

Committee Reports

Reports were presented by the Licensing and Fees Committee, the Code of Practice Committee and the Ethics Committee. The LFC reported on discussions on access to identifying information for persons not named on a licence; monitoring annual audits; the release of inspection reports; peer review declaration; and the central licensing manual. The CoPC reported on their discussions reviewing the HFEA's three embryo transfer policy. The Ethics Committee reported back on their discussions on PGD and screening for aneuploidy.

Any Other Business

Members approved a Chairman's letter outlining the respective roles of the nominal licensee and the person responsible.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Authority meeting is Thursday 22 February 2001 at 2pm.

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

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