HFEA launches public consultation on donor assisted conception
11 November 2004
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) today launched a public consultation on sperm, egg and embryo donation. The views of members of the public and interested professionals and organisations are sought on a range of questions concerning the regulation of donor-assisted conception.
The consultation, The Regulation of Donor-Assisted Conception, can be accessed via the HFEA website where respondents can complete an on-screen questionnaire. It covers topics such as the limits on the number of children per donor, how donor's characteristics should be matched with patients, how much donors should be compensated, whether egg donors should be compensated at the same level as sperm donors, and how strict regulation should be on allowing sperm, eggs and embryos to be imported into the UK.
The consultation forms part of the HFEA's comprehensive review on all areas of sperm, egg and embryo donation. This review, which also includes a survey of UK clinics and a review of the current clinical and scientific evidence, was announced earlier this year following changes in the law governing donor-assisted conception. These changes mean that as of April 2005 the identity of donors may be disclosed to their genetic children when they reach the age of 18. The results of the review will be announced before April 2005.
Announcing the public consultation, Suzi Leather, HFEA Chair said:
"Donor-assisted conception has helped many people achieve their dream of having a child. Over 37,000 children have been born in the UK as a result of people donating sperm, eggs and embryos, but our research shows that clinics are struggling to find suitable, willing donors for their patients. The changes in the law present new challenges and pose new questions and it is extremely important that people make their views known, especially those already born from donor conception."
The consultation is open to any UK organisation or member of the public and runs from 11th November 2004 until 4th February 2005. The HFEA would prefer responses via the website but copies of the document are also available by e-mailing seedreview@hfea.gov.uk or telephoning 020 7291 8200.
Ends
Notes to editors
The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA's principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), donor insemination (DI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.
Since the HFEA register was set up in 1991 over 25,000 children have been born as a result of donated sperm, eggs or embryos. The Department of Health estimate that 12,000 donor conceived people were born before the HFEA register was set up.
Currently, donors are paid a maximum of £15 per donation plus reasonable expenses. The maximum age for sperm donors is 45 and for egg donors it is 35. A maximum of 10 children plus siblings may be conceived from one donor.
Page last updated: 12 March 2009