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21 February 2000

Re: Home Insemination

I am writing to you regarding the practice of home insemination. Following a recent review of the Code of Practice, the Code of Practice Committee has agreed that the wording of paragraph 7.16 of the Code should be redrafted to reflect the legal requirements of the HFE Act more clearly.

Paragraph 7.16 of the Code should be amended as follows, with immediate effect:

The Act forbids the supply of frozen sperm to a person not covered by a licence, and centres may therefore only supply sperm in the process of thawing. Provided that the woman has attended the clinic for assessment purposes, the sperm may be supplied to either, her in person or by courier.

The use of a dry shipper, or any other containment vessel that would keep the sperm in a frozen or preserved state after leaving the licensed centre is strictly prohibited by the Act. Using a container, such as a vacuum flask, to slow the process of thawing would be permitted for the transportation of the sample to the patient's home. However, this container should not contain liquid nitrogen or any other agent that would keep the sperm in a preserved state.

As you can see, it is no longer permitted to use dry shippers to transport sperm for home insemination as this would constitute storage. Additionally, the use of liquid nitrogen or any other agent that would keep the sperm in a preserved state once it has left the licensed centre has been explicitly prohibited. A vacuum flask should only be used to slow the process of thawing. It should not be capable of keeping the sperm in a frozen or preserved state.

A corrigendum slip is enclosed; this should be secured into your centre's copy of the Code of Practice.

If you have any queries relating to the new wording please contact Ginny Shires (0207 539 3311) at the HFEA.

Yours faithfully,

Ruth Deech
Chairman

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CORRIGENDUM

February 2000

HFEA Code of Practice (4th Edition) July 1998

HOME INSEMINATION

Paragraph 7.16 at page 45 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's Code of Practice (4th Edition) has been amended. This section should now read as follows:

7.16a) The Act forbids the supply of frozen sperm to a person not covered by a licence. Centres may therefore only supply sperm in the process of thawing. Provided that the woman has attended the clinic for assessment purposes, the sperm may be supplied to her in person or by courier.

7.16b) The use of a dry shipper, or any other containment vessel that would keep the sperm in a frozen or preserved state after leaving the licensed centre, is strictly prohibited by the Act. Using a container, such as a vacuum flask, to slow the process of thawing would be permitted for the transportation of the sample to the patient's home. However, this container should not contain liquid nitrogen or any other agent that would keep the sperm in a preserved state.

Page last updated: 14 April 2009

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