2007

19-12-2007: HFEA statement on a licence to screen for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

On 5th December 2007, an HFEA Licence Committee granted University College Hospital London a licence to carry out preimplantation genetic diagnosis for the avoidance of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

18-12-2007: UK embryo research projects focus on improving IVF treatments

An HFEA report published today reveals that most human embryo research projects in the UK last year focused on better understanding of embryo development to improve fertility treatments.

07-12-2007: IVF patient numbers and success rates continue to rise - HFEA issues latest Find a Clinic guide with 2005 success figures

Demand for fertility treatment continues to increase, along with both live birth and multiple birth rates, according to the 2005 IVF and Donor Insemination treatment figures published today by the HFEA, the UK's fertility regulator.  These figures are issued as part of the latest update of the 'Find a Clinic' interactive clinic search facility on the HFEA website (guide.hfea.gov.uk).

04-12-2007 HFEA calls for national strategy to reduce the biggest risk of fertility treatment - Multiple births

The HFEA have today called for a professionally-led, coordinated national strategy to reduce the number of multiple births that occur following fertility treatment which contribute to significant numbers of premature and low birth weight babies.

09/11/2007: ARGC Latest

The following joint statement was read in the High Court today following agreement between Mr Taranissi and the HFEA.

18-10-2007 HFEA Statement on the current Authority discussion on multiple births after IVF

Many patients, doctors and experts have contributed their views to the HFEA´s recent public consultation on reducing the incidence of multiple births after IVF.

17-10-2007 Statement on HFEA Chair

Following the Government's announcement that the establishment of a single Regulatory Body for Tissue and Embryos (RATE) is not to go ahead, Shirley Harrison has decided to step down as Chair of the HFEA as of 1 November 2007, but will remain as Chair of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).

08-10-2007: HFEA welcomes the Government's response to the Scrutiny Committee's report

The HFEA welcomes the Government´s response to the Scrutiny Committee´s report as a significant step forward towards new legislation to govern fertility treatment and embryo research.

13-09-2007: Alan Doran appointed interim Chief Executive of HFEA

Alan Doran will be joining the HFEA as interim Chief Executive from 1 October 2007, while Angela McNab is on a six-month secondment  at the Department of Health.

05-09-2007 HFEA statement on its decision regarding hybrid embryos

The decision on how the HFEA should approach the licensing of human - animal hybrids and chimera research has presented a particular challenge as this research is so novel in legal, scientific and ethical terms.

09-08-2007 Future developments could bring major changes to fertility treatment in 3 years

An international panel of scientists and fertility experts have predicted major developments in the way IVF is carried out within 3 years, in a report to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), launched today.

31-05-2007: Ensuring safety and information for IVF patients

The HFEA strongly refutes any allegation that it is failing women in its regulation of the UK's IVF sector.

31-05-2007: All new Interactive Code of Practice for IVF clinics

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has launched the 7th edition of its Code of Practice, the Standards under which fertility clinics operate in the UK.  For the first time, the Code will be available online with a brand new, interactive format which allows clinics to have instant access to the latest version.

17-05-2007: HFEA Statement on Tissues and Embryos Bill

We welcome the Draft Tissues and Embryos Bill as a step forward towards a new clear framework for fertility regulation fit for the challenges of the 21st Century.

03-05-2007: Number of sperm donors up following anonymity law changes

The number of men registering as sperm donors rose by 6% in the year following the law removing donor anonymity, the latest figures from the HFEA have shown. Registration is up both in UK sperm donors and in the total number of donors available (which includes imported sperm).

26-04-2007: Should we allow the creation of human/animal embryos?

HFEA opens public debate on hybrid or chimera embryos in research The UK regulator for embryo research is today launching a public consultation to explore people's views on whether or not scientists should be allowed to create embryos containing animal DNA in embryo research.

04-04-2007: HFEA consults on ways to reduce avoidable problems for IVF babies

Fertility regulator launches public consultation to find best ways of reducing the proportion of multiple births after IVF.

21-02-2007: HFEA Statement on Donating Eggs for research

Today (20 February 2007) the Authority agreed to allow women to be able to donate their eggs to research projects, provided that there are strong safeguards in place to ensure the women are properly informed of the risks of the procedure and are properly protected from coercion.

11-01-2007: Press Statement Regarding Human-Animal Hybrid Research

Members of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority discussed yesterday (Wednesday) the broad principles for handling any research proposals into hybrid and chimera research. The HFEA has received two applications from scientific teams to carry out research using human cells and animal eggs to produce stem cells.

 

Last updated: 19 December 2007