British Fertility Society statement on the
Parliament Select Committee report on IVF treatment
July 2002
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority (HFEA) decision to allow treatment in the Hashmi case
has been criticized in a report published today by the Parliament
Select Committee.
The Hashmi family were given permission by the HFEA, a body which
regulates IVF treatment, to try to create a genetically engineered
baby to help treat their child which sufferers from a rare genetic
disorder.
The British Fertility Society supports the well established legal
framework in the UK covering infertility treatment. This provides
the most closely regulated practise of IVF in the world. Practitioners
in the UK are required within this framework to assess the welfare
of children that result from infertility treatment. Practitioners
are also required under the regulatory framework to refer new techniques
and cases involving pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to the HFEA
for special consideration.
The Society believes that these regulations provide sufficient
safeguards to public interest. It does however and indeed encourages
public and professional debate on the wider ethical issues such
as stem cell research and single parenting.
For more information: please contact the British Fertility Society press office
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