Horizon Scanning Panel

The HFEA’s Horizon Scanning process is an early warning system that identifies new scientific and clinical developments that may impact on the field of assisted reproduction or embryo research.

Horizon scanning allows the HFEA to consider the legal, ethical and scientific implications of any new technique that scientists or clinicians may wish to use in HFEA-licensed research or treatment.

The Authority can then be prepared with information to make a decision on the potential licensing of techniques, or have guidance in place to ensure that new treatments are carried out safely and appropriately. The HFEA can also ensure that patients and the wider public are suitably informed.

The majority of the techniques examined in the Horizon Scanning Panel’s annual report are a long way from being offered in clinics.

Horizon Scanning was first introduced by the HFEA in 2004 and is carried out through a rigorous and systematic appraisal of scientific research that is conducted both within and outside the UK. The HFEA’s horizon scanning process has received international recognition and has been used to brief numerous stakeholders worldwide.

Horizon Scanning Panel members

Horizon Scanning brings together an international panel of experts to advise the Authority on new scientific and clinical developments.

  • Prof William ‘Twink’ Allen (Paul Mellon Laboratory of Equine Reproduction, UK)

  • Prof Peter Andrews (University of Sheffield, UK)

  • Prof David Barlow (University of Glasgow, UK) 

  • Prof Christopher Barratt (University of Dundee, UK)

  • Prof John Carroll (University College London, UK)

  • Dr Jacques Cohen (Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of Saint Barnabas, USA)

  • Dr John Collins (Assisted Human Reproduction Canada)

  • Prof Alan Decherney (National Institutes of Health, USA)

  • Prof Chris De Jonge (University of Minnesota, USA)

  • Prof Paul Devroey (Free University of Brussels, Belgium)

  • Prof David Edgar (University of Liverpool, UK)

  • Prof Sir Martin Evans (Cardiff University, UK)

  • Prof Hans Evers (Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands)

  • Prof Bart Fauser (University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Dr Joyce Harper (University College London, UK)

  • Prof Stephen Hillier (University of Edinburgh, UK)

  • Prof Outi Hovatta (Karolinska Institute, Sweden)

  • Prof Mark Hughes (Genesis Genetics Institute, USA)

  • Prof Martin Johnson (University of Cambridge, UK)

  • Prof Gab Kovacs (Monash IVF, Australia)

  • Prof Henry Leese (Hull York Medical School, UK)

  • Prof Norio Nakatsuji (Kyoto University, Japan)

  • Prof Alan Trounson (California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, USA)

  • Dr Maureen Wood (University of Aberdeen, UK)

  • Prof André Van Steirteghem (Free University of Brussels, Belgium)

  • Prof Stéphane Viville (Université de Strasbourg, France)

How are issues identified?

Issues that may affect assisted reproduction or embryo research are identified throughout the year by both the panel members and by the HFEA’s policy team.

The policy team gathers information by attending conferences and scanning journals. 

The issues are then discussed at the Horizon Scanning Panel’s annual meeting, usually held at the annual meeting of the  European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). 

Prioritising process

Issues are then prioritized using a systematic approach that looks at whether:

  • the technique is transferrable to humans for research or treatment 
  • the diffusion of the technique is likely to be rapid
  • there will be public interest or concern
  • there will be ethical or legal considerations
  • the technique is within the remit of the HFEA.

What happens next?

Over the following year, the prioritised issues are considered in depth by the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) and other HFEA committees as appropriate. 

This may lead to the issue being referred to the Authority to decide on a policy review, on a new Authority position or new guidance for clinics and researchers.

Read more about the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee

... more about the Horizon Scanning Panel

Page last updated: 02 April 2013