Response to arms length bodies review
22 July 2004
The Health Minister John Reid has announced the results of a review of arm's length bodies. It has been decided that the a new Regulatory Authority for Fertility and Tissue will be created to encompass the work of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the proposed Human Tissue Authority.
Suzi Leather, HFEA Chair said,
"I welcome the creation of the Regulatory Authority for Fertility and Tissue. It is vital that patients and the public have complete confidence in the effective regulation of the use in treatment and research of all tissues, embryos and organs and this new organisation will bring these fields together.'
'The HFEA will have a lot to contribute with its experience and expertise. It has been at the fore front internationally of regulating an acutely sensitive area of public policy - IVF, embryo research and the donation and storage of embryos, eggs and sperm and its role and contribution has been the envy of many other countries. I recognise the importance of patient consent and the value of having a strong ethical framework for building public support for much needed scientific and medical research, education, training and public health surveillance. We are already working to implement the EU Tissue Directive."
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.
Page last updated: 12 March 2009