Fertility Network welcomes HFEA consultation on modernising UK fertility law

Fertility Network UK today responded to the fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, launching its consultation on modernising UK fertility law. The law that governs fertility treatment and human embryo research in the UK – the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act – is over 30 years old.

Gwenda Burns, chief executive of national charity Fertility Network UK, said: ‘Fertility Network welcomes the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s consultation on fertility law. Healthcare and society have changed in the last three decades and modernising the law can bring benefits for patients and their families. For example, thirty years ago fertility treatment was considered taboo and it was felt it needed to be a medical secret. That’s why, when you have IVF, it is not written in your medical notes as a matter of course and, if you are successful, health professionals involved in your antenatal care do not know your full medical history. But if health professionals do not know the treatment you have had to reach this point, how can they offer appropriate medical care and support going forwards, when risks like ectopic pregnancy can be increased, and patients may need additional monitoring, scans and support.’

For further info and to respond to the consultation, visit Modernising the regulation of fertility treatment and research involving human embryos | HFEA