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A summary of the meeting of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in October 1999

At this meeting the Authority approved draft HFEA Guidelines for Treatment Ethics Committee and for these to be circulated to researchers, clinics and treatment ethics committees for their comments.

The Authority discussed the proposal of the creation of an in-house, full-time professional inspectorate. Members agreed that an inspectorate of the highest quality was essential, but felt that it was unlikely to be attained through the creation of such a body. Members acknowledged the benefits of having as inspectors people actively involved in the field, and valued the advice that such inspectors were able to offer clinics in the course of an inspection. The cost of such a group was also recognised. It was, however, agreed that the number of inspectors should be reviewed and that they should be given training to maintain standards.

The Authority also continued its consideration of draft egg-sharing Guidelines. It was agreed that the Authority would not itself produce a standard agreement for egg sharing, but would instead circulate detailed guidance on how centres should prepare such agreements. Members approved the draft guidelines and agreed that these should be distributed to those clinics presently involved in egg sharing for the purpose of a feasibility study.

The Authority discussed the recommendation of the Code of Practice Committee that clinics should ask individuals for additional proofs of identity from those patients who were unwilling to allow their GP to be contacted. This would also apply to overseas patients who were not registered with a GP in the UK.

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

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