Issue 3

Issue No. 3 - February 2008

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News from the HFEA

Update on multiple births policy

The Authority confirmed a 10% overall maximum multiple birth rate as a national average with all clinics expected to be close to this figure.

This decision came after the Authority discussed the Multiple births implementation plan at the February Open Meeting.

Starting in January 2009, clinics will be monitored as to how well they introduce clinical protocols for achieving phased reductions in their multiple births.

Read about the next steps for policy development.

Alan Doran to speak at debate on stem cell research

Alan Doran, HFEA Interim Chief Executive, will be speaking at a debate on the ´Future of Stem Cell Research in the UK´ organised by the law firm, Bristows at the Royal Society on 6 March.

Other speakers include Dr. Stephen Minger of King´s College London and Professor Neil Scolding of Bristol University.

To register contact Lara Mintah-Sem at Bristows on 020 7400 8262 or email marketing@bristows.com

Policy and Guidance

New procedure for complaints about the HFEA

The HFEA have published a new procedure for those wishing to make a complaint about the HFEA.

View the updated procedure

The Legal status of the male donor in embryo donation

The HFEA would like to remind centres of the issues that can arise around the status of the male donor in embryo donation. This was previously pointed out to clinics in 2004, following a number of court cases at the time.

An explanation of the law, with examples of patient situations where this is an issue ( same sex couples, single women and women estranged from their partner) can be found on the For Clinic staff section of the HFEA website.

It is worth remembering the overarching principle in the Code of Practice "In any case in which people seeking treatment have doubts or concerns about legal parenthood or parental responsibility for a child born as a result of treatment services, they should be advised to seek their own legal advice." (G.6.9.1) .

News from the sector

Latest research on selective single blastocyst transfer

A new study looking at the relationship between blastocyst transfers, clinical pregnancy and multiple pregnancy rates has been published by BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Scientists from the Assisted Conception Unit at Guy´s and St Thomas´ Hospital in London found that by using selective blastocyst transfers, they were able to increase clinical pregnancy rates whilst achieving a significant fall in multiple pregnancies.

Read the full report

Podcast discussion on ways to reduce multiple pregnancies

BJOG have released a free online video ? ´The changing landscape of IVF: how to reduce multiple pregnancy without reducing pregnancy rates´.

The podcast features an expert panel of leading infertility medical specialists, Yacoub Khalaf, Tony Rutherford, Bill Ledger and Tarek El-Toukhy. It entails a discussion and debate on the issues raised in the recently published BJOG paper on selective embryo transfers.

Download the podcast

Guidance on the effects of cancer treatment on reproductive functions

New guidance has been produced on the effects of cancer treatment on reproductive functions by the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Radiologists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Approximately 11,000 patients in the 15?40 age group are diagnosed with cancer each year. The report aims to improve standards of management of fertility for these patients, calling for nationwide provision and funding, and for a scientific approach to future developments.

Read the press release

Download the full e-update

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