April

2005-04-01: Recent inspection report for the Reproductive Medicine Unit in Leeds (centre 0052).

2005-04-22: Appointment of Peer Reviewers. Although there is no obligation under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended) to do so, the Authority always obtains at least two peer review reports on the merits of a proposed research project covering: 

• Whether the research fulfils at least one of the categories for which embryo research is permitted
• The importance of the research in the field
• Whether the research has been done before
• Whether the research requires human embryos to fulfil its aims and objectives
• Whether the research requires the numbers and types of embryos outlined in the application
• The suitability of the methods
• The length of the study
• The applicant's qualifications
• Compliance with the requirements of the HFEA Code of Practice, including ethical approval and patient information.

The HFEA has a panel of reviewers who are recognised national and international experts in the field of reproductive biology and infertility.  Upon receipt of an application for a research licence, the HFEA Executive choose two peer reviewers that have the appropriate expertise to enable them to advise a Licence Committee of the Authority as to the merits of the proposed research. If it is considered that none of the peer reviewers have the relevant expertise for a particular project, then the Executive would seek the advice from the Authority Members and/or relevant professional bodies in order to obtain reviewers that have the necessary knowledge to review the proposed project.