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/uk/8169890.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Fertility donor pay debate call Fertility donor pay debate call
(20 minutes later)
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.Professor Jardine told the Times she felt a "responsibility" to look at the ban on selling donated eggs and sperm again.
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 Professor Jardine
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."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.
Rewarding altruism
Professor Jardine also wants a wider debate on the question of when family members should be allowed to donate to one another.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.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.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.
Commenting on the payment concern, Dr Ainsley Newson, a senior lecturer in biomedical ethics at Bristol University, said the issue was around "reasonable compensation" for the burden of egg retrieval rather than paying for the eggs.
"Increasing the capped amount that women are given for donating eggs may increase donation.
"It will also help to emphasise the altruism behind donation, not forgetting the importance of the gift being made."


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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions