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| IVF father figure clause 'to go' | IVF father figure clause 'to go' |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The government is set to abolish the requirement for fertility clinics to consider the need for a father when deciding whether to offer treatment. | The government is set to abolish the requirement for fertility clinics to consider the need for a father when deciding whether to offer treatment. |
| It will mean clinics will no longer be able to deny treatment to lesbians and single mothers out of hand. | It will mean clinics will no longer be able to deny treatment to lesbians and single mothers out of hand. |
| A White Paper outlining plans for a major overhaul of the law on assisted human reproduction and embryo research will be published later. | |
| It follows a public consultation exercise on the current law. | It follows a public consultation exercise on the current law. |
| We can only hope that Parliament will wisely reject the absurd proposal to do away with the child's need for a father Josephine QuintavalleComment on Reproductive Ethics | We can only hope that Parliament will wisely reject the absurd proposal to do away with the child's need for a father Josephine QuintavalleComment on Reproductive Ethics |
| Ministers felt the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 needed to be updated as science has moved on significantly in the last 16 years. | Ministers felt the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 needed to be updated as science has moved on significantly in the last 16 years. |
| It is reported that the White Paper is likely to outlaw several techniques, including the creation of a child using the genetic material of two women, with no man involved at all. | It is reported that the White Paper is likely to outlaw several techniques, including the creation of a child using the genetic material of two women, with no man involved at all. |
| Couples are also likely to be banned from choosing the sex of their baby for non-medical reasons. | Couples are also likely to be banned from choosing the sex of their baby for non-medical reasons. |
| However, the proposals are expected to back embryo screening to weed out genetic defects, and to create so-called saviour siblings who can provide cells to help treat ill brothers or sisters. | However, the proposals are expected to back embryo screening to weed out genetic defects, and to create so-called saviour siblings who can provide cells to help treat ill brothers or sisters. |
| Ministers are also expected to look favourably on scientists who want to create 'chimera' embryos combining human DNA and animal eggs for research - but the White Paper may stop short of sanctioning this, for now. | Ministers are also expected to look favourably on scientists who want to create 'chimera' embryos combining human DNA and animal eggs for research - but the White Paper may stop short of sanctioning this, for now. |
| Ministerial hint | Ministerial hint |
| Speaking in the summer, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint hinted strongly that there was "probably not a case" for keeping the "need for a father" clause in the new rules. | Speaking in the summer, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint hinted strongly that there was "probably not a case" for keeping the "need for a father" clause in the new rules. |
| Currently, clinics must take account of the welfare of the unborn child, including the need for a father. | Currently, clinics must take account of the welfare of the unborn child, including the need for a father. |
| Giving evidence to the Commons science and technology committee in July, Ms Flint said: "We are considering whether the need for a father is something we need to have." | Giving evidence to the Commons science and technology committee in July, Ms Flint said: "We are considering whether the need for a father is something we need to have." |
| "That does not mean fathers are not important. What's important is that the children are going to be, as far as we know, part of a loving family." | "That does not mean fathers are not important. What's important is that the children are going to be, as far as we know, part of a loving family." |
| Despite the relaxation of rules on adoption, many single women and lesbian couples are still believed to face rejection by IVF clinics. | Despite the relaxation of rules on adoption, many single women and lesbian couples are still believed to face rejection by IVF clinics. |
| The committee said last year that the situation was "offensive" to unconventional families. | The committee said last year that the situation was "offensive" to unconventional families. |
| Also, people argue that no such checks and rules apply when people conceive naturally. | Also, people argue that no such checks and rules apply when people conceive naturally. |
| The proposed change has been criticised in some quarters. | The proposed change has been criticised in some quarters. |
| Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This paper takes on board, almost carte blanche, the libertarian recommendations of the science and technology select committee, with political correctness the highest priority and welfare of children the lowest. | Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This paper takes on board, almost carte blanche, the libertarian recommendations of the science and technology select committee, with political correctness the highest priority and welfare of children the lowest. |
| "We can only hope that Parliament will wisely reject the absurd proposal to do away with the child's need for a father." | "We can only hope that Parliament will wisely reject the absurd proposal to do away with the child's need for a father." |
| Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield and secretary of the British Fertility Society, said: "Whilst the current laws have served us very well during the early days of IVF and associated treatments, society has changed and the concerns of today are not the same as they were 16 years ago when the current laws were drafted. | Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield and secretary of the British Fertility Society, said: "Whilst the current laws have served us very well during the early days of IVF and associated treatments, society has changed and the concerns of today are not the same as they were 16 years ago when the current laws were drafted. |
| "Most Assisted Conception Treatment is now relatively routine and there are strong arguments that some of its regulation could now be relaxed whist still retaining public confidence." | "Most Assisted Conception Treatment is now relatively routine and there are strong arguments that some of its regulation could now be relaxed whist still retaining public confidence." |