Statement following the judgement in the L case (storage of gametes)

7 October 2008

The HFEA today welcomed the judgement reaffirming the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act which requires a person to provide written consent before gametes (eggs and sperm) can be stored lawfully.

 Professor Lisa Jardine, Chair of the HFEA, said:

 "We welcome the court´s ruling in this case. This has been a very difficult issue and we very much sympathise with the situation L has found herself in.

 "As a regulator we must operate within the legislation. This ruling confirms that HFEA acted correctly and the HFE Act is compatible with the Human Rights Act, and that gametes can only be stored with effective written consent of the person providing them."

 For further information please contact the HFEA press office.

Notes to editors

• A note of the judgement can be downloaded in PDF format.

Note of the judgement - L v. (1) HFEA and (2) Department of Health

• 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.
• The HFEA publishes a free Guide to Infertility for people considering or starting fertility treatment. It can be downloaded from http://www.hfea.gov.uk/. Contact admin@hfea.gov.uk or call 020 7291 8200 for a printed copy.