Press releases and statements

HFEA refutes David King's suggestion that public opinion in the 'Medical Frontiers: Debating mitochondria replacement' consultation was misrepresented

28 June 2013

The government today announced its decision to proceed with draft regulations which will enable the use of mitochondria replacement techniques to be used for patient treatment.

This decision follows on from the 'Medical Frontiers: Debating mitochondria replacement' public consultation which was run by the HFEA between June and December 2012. And the expert scientific review into the efficacy and safety of these proposed techniques.

The reports from this consultation and review can be found online on our Mitochondria public consultation 2012 section.

Professor David King, Director of Human Genetics Alert, has today suggested that the HFEA consultation process was flawed and that our analysis of the findings misrepresented public opinion. We strongly refute Dr King's suggestions and think it is important to address his comments.

The consultation was made up of many strands. One strand of the consultation showed a small majority against mitochondria replacement and those people tended to have broader concerns about IVF.

In all the other public engagement strands a majority of respondents and participants supported the use of mitochondria replacement.

We used a range of methods to explore these complex issues. Our consultation was a more nuanced exercise than simply counting up votes for and against the techniques.

Ends

 

 Notes to editors

  • The HFEA is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Our role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research.
  • 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), artificial insemination (AI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.
  • Around 1 in 200 children are born each year with a form of mitochondrial disease. Some children have mild or no symptoms but others can be severely affected and have a shortened life expectancy. Symptoms include muscle weakness, intestinal disorders and heart disease.

For further information please contact the HFEA press office on 020 7291 8226 or email press.office@hfea.gov.uk / jay.stone@hfea.gov.uk

Page last updated: 28 June 2013