This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6175501.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| IVF father figure clause is to go | IVF father figure clause is to go |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The government is to abolish the requirement for fertility clinics to consider the need for a father when deciding whether to offer treatment. | The government is to abolish the requirement for fertility clinics to consider the need for a father when deciding whether to offer treatment. |
| This means clinics will no longer be able to deny treatment to lesbians and single mothers out of hand. | This means clinics will no longer be able to deny treatment to lesbians and single mothers out of hand. |
| The new white paper also says both partners in same-sex couples using IVF to conceive will now be legally recognised as parents. | The new white paper also says both partners in same-sex couples using IVF to conceive will now be legally recognised as parents. |
| It makes 25 proposals to overhaul outdated laws on assisted reproduction. | It makes 25 proposals to overhaul outdated laws on assisted reproduction. |
| It follows a public consultation exercise on the current 16-year-old law, which includes rules on what type of embryo research can be carried out. | It follows a public consultation exercise on the current 16-year-old law, which includes rules on what type of embryo research can be carried out. |
| The current law, which has served us well, is in need of revision Caroline Flint, health minister Send us your comments | The current law, which has served us well, is in need of revision Caroline Flint, health minister Send us your comments |
| Ministers felt the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 needed to be updated as science has moved on significantly. | Ministers felt the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 needed to be updated as science has moved on significantly. |
| Launching the white paper, health minister Caroline Flint said: "The current law, which has served us well, is in need of revision. | Launching the white paper, health minister Caroline Flint said: "The current law, which has served us well, is in need of revision. |
| "Technology has changed, and so have attitudes." | "Technology has changed, and so have attitudes." |
| The changes | The changes |
| Couples are also to be banned from choosing the sex of their baby for non-medical reasons, such as "family balancing". | Couples are also to be banned from choosing the sex of their baby for non-medical reasons, such as "family balancing". |
| DIY home methods of sperm sorting into "male" and "female" would also break the law. | DIY home methods of sperm sorting into "male" and "female" would also break the law. |
| But they will be able to have embryos screened for serious genetic disorders, or to select one that is a suitable tissue match for a sick sibling. | But they will be able to have embryos screened for serious genetic disorders, or to select one that is a suitable tissue match for a sick sibling. |
| Clinics will still be required to consider the welfare of a child who may be born as a result of treatment, despite protests that couples conceiving naturally do not face similar checks. | Clinics will still be required to consider the welfare of a child who may be born as a result of treatment, despite protests that couples conceiving naturally do not face similar checks. |
| Scientists will be able to push forward research in some areas, such as altering the genetic structure of cells that make embryos, but have been banned from using any of such embryo to make a baby. | Scientists will be able to push forward research in some areas, such as altering the genetic structure of cells that make embryos, but have been banned from using any of such embryo to make a baby. |
| PROPOSALS 'Need for the father' removedCreation of chimeras banned...for nowRegulation of internet sperm servicesWelfare of the child checks retainedSex-selection for non-medical reasons bannedStatutory storage period for embryos extended from five to 10 yearsDonors informed if their child is seeking identifying information about themParenthood provisions for civil partners and other same-sex couplesScreening embryos for serious medical conditions and as a suitable tissue match permittedDeliberately screening-in a disease or disorder, such as if two deaf parents wished to have a deaf child, bannedUp to a year 'cooling off' period if consent to embryo storage by one of the couple involved is withdrawnDonor-conceived children allowed to find out if they have sisters or brothers also conceived through donation, when they reach 18 | |
| Similarly, scientists are prohibited from making chimeras - human-animal hybrids - but not necessarily forever. | Similarly, scientists are prohibited from making chimeras - human-animal hybrids - but not necessarily forever. |
| The law will contain a clause allowing for the possibility that this type of work should be permitted in the future. | The law will contain a clause allowing for the possibility that this type of work should be permitted in the future. |
| Some of the proposed changes have been criticised in some quarters. | Some of the proposed changes have been criticised in some quarters. |
| Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, criticised the removal of the need for a father reference saying: "It's a dreadful statement to make about the role of men. Fatherhood is much more than the donation of sperm. | Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, criticised the removal of the need for a father reference saying: "It's a dreadful statement to make about the role of men. Fatherhood is much more than the donation of sperm. |
| "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." |
| Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris welcomed the removal of the need for a father clause. | |
| He said: "It was unjustifiable, discriminatory and vindictive. It was also unsustainable in human rights and equality terms. | He said: "It was unjustifiable, discriminatory and vindictive. It was also unsustainable in human rights and equality terms. |
| "The evidence suggests children do very well brought up by lesbian couples and solo parents, so good riddance." | "The evidence suggests children do very well brought up by lesbian couples and solo parents, so good riddance." |
| Anna Smajdor, researcher in medical ethics at Imperial College London, said: "While the removal of the specific reference to a need for a father is on balance a good thing, it still remains utterly bizarre that fertility clinicians should be responsible for making judgements about the suitability of people to be parents." | |
| A spokeswoman from the London Fertility Clinic said he was concerned that banning sex selection for family balancing and social reasons would lead to more abortions. | |
| "IVF of a wanted child is preferable," she said. | |
| The proposals will be debated in Parliament before they can be passed as law. |