HFEA launch probe into welfare of IVF children

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is launching a public consultation into how clinics should protect children born through fertility treatment.

The law currently requires clinics to make an assessment of the welfare of every child, before fertility treatment is provided. The HFEA provides guidance to clinics, based on these requirements, but these have been expanded and amended over the years, in accordance with new techniques and practises.

The consultation, which is entitled 'Tomorrow's Children', will focus on three main areas – the kind of enquiries which should be made to prospective parents and whether or not medical, social or other professionals should be involved; the factors to be taken into account, such as medical, physical and psychological risks and social factors and whether patients undergoing different kinds of treatment require different assessment and information.

Suzi Leather, Chair of the HFEA, said: "The law sets out the important principle that, before any treatment is given, clinics must consider the welfare of any child who may be born as a result. Our job as the sector's regulator is to ensure that this is delivered in practise."

Ms Leather suggested that a "reasonable, proportionate, fair and practical system" is required, which will provide children with protection, but also wouldn't "unjustifiably" hinder people who needed medical help to have children. She added: "We have to strike a difficult balance between the interests of prospective parents and the needs of children."

The consultation, which runs until April 7, will include public consultative meetings and discussions with particular groups, such as clinic staff and GPs. The HFEA will also be holding public events in Glasgow, Manchester and London in February and March, which are aimed particularly at people working in clinics, as well as patients, academics, lawyers and other groups. The authority also plans to speak with a number of patient and professional organisations on the subject, including Infertility Network UK and the British Fertility Society.

Angela McNab, HFEA Chief Executive said that the HFEA planned to use the results of the public consultation to develop new guidance, which will be in place by the summer. She added: "In this way, we can ensure an effective, fair and consistent system across the sector that acts in everybody's best interests."

A copy of the consultation document is available from the HFEA web-site at: www.hfea.gov.uk

(KMcA/SP)