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New embryo hopes as rule changes | New embryo hopes as rule changes |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Women whose frozen embryos were due to be destroyed in the next few weeks have had the threat lifted. | Women whose frozen embryos were due to be destroyed in the next few weeks have had the threat lifted. |
The time limit on storing embryos is due to rise from five years to 10 from October. | |
But some women faced losing their embryos in the remaining weeks before the change comes in, as they breached the five-year rule. | |
Ministers have ruled that these "out of time" embryos need not now be destroyed. | Ministers have ruled that these "out of time" embryos need not now be destroyed. |
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said it would immediately contact clinics so they could continue storage of the embryos. | The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said it would immediately contact clinics so they could continue storage of the embryos. |
'Legally complex' | |
Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "The new rules will come into effect on 1 October and I will be seeking to make an order to Parliament to ensure this applies to embryos that are "out of time" on that date. | Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "The new rules will come into effect on 1 October and I will be seeking to make an order to Parliament to ensure this applies to embryos that are "out of time" on that date. |
The Gladwins are encouraging other couples with frozen embryos not to give up hope | |
"A small number of women will have reached the five-year limit before 1 October and without the action we are taking, would have had their embryos destroyed. | "A small number of women will have reached the five-year limit before 1 October and without the action we are taking, would have had their embryos destroyed. |
"They will now be able to store them for longer. | "They will now be able to store them for longer. |
"For these women, this is tremendously important as it is all about extending their chance to have a much-wanted child. | "For these women, this is tremendously important as it is all about extending their chance to have a much-wanted child. |
"Their circumstances are morally straightforward but legally very complex - we have been urgently seeking ways to help them and I am very pleased today to be able to give them hope by taking this commonsense action." | |
Professor Lisa Jardine, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), said: "I am delighted that the government has listened and made this commonsense decision. | |
Wonderful things do happen Mel and Rob Gladwin | |
"This will be an enormous relief to all of those people who faced the heartbreak of seeing their embryos destroyed all because of a matter of timing. | "This will be an enormous relief to all of those people who faced the heartbreak of seeing their embryos destroyed all because of a matter of timing. |
"We will be contacting clinics immediately so that they can inform the patients concerned and make appropriate arrangements for the continued storage of their embryos." | "We will be contacting clinics immediately so that they can inform the patients concerned and make appropriate arrangements for the continued storage of their embryos." |
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after a couple from Gloucestershire presented a petition pleading for help to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | |
Mel Gladwin, originally from Kent, had cervical cancer six years ago and, with her husband Rob, stored her fertilized eggs. | |
They would have been destroyed for being out of time but for the new ruling. | |
"We're absolutely ecstatic. It's wonderful news," said Mr Gladwin. | |
"It's been very difficult at times and a lot of people have said 'you won't get this done' but it's changed and we have," said Mrs Gladwin. | |
The couple urged others in a similar position to them not to give up hope saying: "Wonderful things do happen." |
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