CH(94)07
20 July 1994
Dear Respondent
HFEA Public Consultation on Donated Ovarian Tissue in Embryo Research and Assisted Conception
Thank for your response to our request for views. We considered it carefully and took it into account in reaching our conclusions. A summary of these is enclosed.
In framing our conclusions, we have been guided by:
- the law,
- the respect which is due to human life at all stages of dvelopment,
- recognition of the benefits which can flow from the responsible pursuit of human knowledge,
- a concern for the welfare of children, and
- the interests of infertile people.
In addition, we began from the position in which we are placed by the legislation passed by Parliament. We have no remit to consider the availability of abortion. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act allows the creation and use of embryos and the use of donated sperm or eggs under strict controls. We enforce these rigorously through our licensing system and our Code of Practice. As well as scientific and medical practice, our Code covers social and ethical issues and gives relevant guidance to infertility clinics. It is approved by the Secretary of State for Health and is laid before Parliament.
We are very pleased with the response we received on our consultation document. We sent out 25,000 copies of the document and received some 9,000 responses. The quality of arguments produced impressed us and significantly influenced our thinking.
Yours faithfully
Professor Sir Colin M Campbell
Chairman
HUMAN FERTILISATION & EMBRYOLOGY AUTHORITY
REPORT ON THE CONSULTATION ON DONATED OVARIAN TISSUE
IN EMBRYO RESEARCH AND ASSISTED CONCEPTION
Introduction
1. On 7 January 1994 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (the Authority/HFEA) published a consultation document on the issues surrounding the use of donated ovarian tissue in embryo research or infertility treatment. The document discussed possible clinical, scientific, ethical and social implications of using ovarian tissue from three sources: live donors, women or girls who have died and aborted fetuses. The HFEA's aim in carrying out the consultation was to inform, to stimulate debate on the issues and to obtain views from the wider public before reaching conclusions.
These are set out below.
HFEA Position
2. In the case of infertility treatment, balancing benefits against the risk of harm, the Authority has concluded that it would be acceptable to use tissue from live donors only. While the Authority has no objection in principle to the use of cadaveric tissue from adult women who have given consent, it will not currently approve its use. The Authority does not consider the use of fetal ovarian tissue to be acceptable in the treatment of infertile women.
3. In rejecting the use of eggs from fetuses in fertility treatment the Authority's main concerns were about the safety of procedures which are not yet developed, and about the possible effect on the children produced of learning about their origins. The use of fetal tissue is not acceptable as it is impossible to see how the potential problems could be overcome. More work is needed on the problems presented by the use of cadaveric tissue before this can be reconsidered.
4. In the case of embryo research, again balancing benefits against the risk of harm, the Authority considers that the use of ovarian tissue from live donors, from adult women who have died and from fetuses is acceptable, subject to existing controls. The availability of tissue from all three sources could enable embryo research to increase understanding of the causes of infertility and of birth abnormalities. Improvements in the treatment of infertility may be developed which could reduce the need for egg donation in the future.
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
July 1994
Page last updated: 15 August 2012