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| Fertility donor pay debate call | Fertility donor pay debate call |
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| The UK's fertility watchdog has called for a fresh debate on reversing the ban on paying egg and sperm donors. | The UK's fertility watchdog has called for a fresh debate on reversing the ban on paying egg and sperm donors. |
| Head of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Professor Lisa Jardine, says proper payment may persuade more donors to come forward. | Head of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Professor Lisa Jardine, says proper payment may persuade more donors to come forward. |
| More and more British couples are going abroad for infertility treatment since the ban on payments was introduced. | More and more British couples are going abroad for infertility treatment since the ban on payments was introduced. |
| The number of women using donated eggs and sperm fell by 25% and 30% respectively between 2004 and 2006. | The number of women using donated eggs and sperm fell by 25% and 30% respectively between 2004 and 2006. |
| 'Patient welfare' | 'Patient welfare' |
| Professor Jardine told the Times she felt a "responsibility" to look at the ban on selling donated eggs and sperm again. | |
| She said payments may ease the shortage of stocks and keep more patients in Britain to be treated in regulated clinics. | She said payments may ease the shortage of stocks and keep more patients in Britain to be treated in regulated clinics. |
| She said: "I'm not saying the decision arrived at before I became chair wasn't the right one at the time. | She said: "I'm not saying the decision arrived at before I became chair wasn't the right one at the time. |
| "But given the evidence that egg shortage is driving women overseas, I feel a responsibility to look at it again." | "But given the evidence that egg shortage is driving women overseas, I feel a responsibility to look at it again." |
| Professor Jardine added: "My agenda is to try and keep assisted reproduction within our regulated area, not because I'm bossy, but out of concern for patient welfare." | |
| She also said egg donors should be paid more than sperm donors to reflect the greater physical risks involved. | She also said egg donors should be paid more than sperm donors to reflect the greater physical risks involved. |
| Anonymity for sperm and egg donors was removed in 2005 - another factor thought to be behind the donor shortage. | Anonymity for sperm and egg donors was removed in 2005 - another factor thought to be behind the donor shortage. |
| The maximum any donor can receive in expenses is currently £250. | The maximum any donor can receive in expenses is currently £250. |
| Professor Jardine also wants a wider debate on the question of when family members should be allowed to donate to one another. | |
| Intergenerational donations have occurred, such as the case of a 72-year-old Briton who provided sperm to his daughter-in-law. | |
| Another issue is donation between siblings. Although it is generally accepted that sisters can give eggs to one another, Professor Jardine wants to consider whether a brother should be allowed to donate sperm to his sister if she is using a donated egg. | |
| Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you gone abroad for infertility treatment? Let us know by filling in the form below. | Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you gone abroad for infertility treatment? Let us know by filling in the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |