HUMAN TISSUES AND EMBRYOS BILL
The purpose of the Bill is to:
- update the regulation of assisted reproduction and embryo research
- create the Regulatory Authority for Tissue & Embryos (RATE), replacing the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
The main benefits of the bill are:
- To help maintain the UK position as a world leader in reproductive technologies and research, bringing the law up to date in the light of developments in technology and attitudes;
- to rationalise the number of regulatory bodies by replacing two (and taking on certain regulatory functions of a third body) with a single authority.
The main elements of the bill are:
- ensuring that the production and use of all human embryos outside the body - whatever the process used in their creation - are subject to regulation;
- a ban on selecting the sex of offspring for non-medical reasons, plus rules on the screening and selection of embryos to avoid inherited diseases;
- retention of a duty to take account of "the welfare of the child" when providing fertility treatment, but removal of the reference to "the need for a father";
- provisions to recognise same-sex couples as legal parents of children conceived through the use of donated sperm, eggs or embryos;
- provisions increasing the scope of legitimate embryo research activities, including clarification of the regulation of "inter-species embryos" - those combining human and animal genetic material;
The Bill was published in draft on 17 May 2007 and is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament due to conclude on 25 July 2007.
The Bill would apply to:
- The United Kingdom for assisted reproduction and embryo research. England, Wales and Northern Ireland for other human tissues and cells research. The Government will work closely with the Devolved Administrations on the responsibilities they have in this area.
Related Documents:
Existing Legislation in this area is:
- Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990
- Human Tissue Act 2004.
Comments:
If you have any comments on the draft programme or individual bill being proposed, you can email them to:
legislation@commonsleader.x.gsi.gov.uk
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