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26/01/2005
Department of Health encourages egg and sperm donation
A campaign by the Department of Health is urging British men and women to donate sperm and eggs to help couples with fertility problems have children.
The 'Give Life, Give Hope' campaign will target men aged between 28-45 and women aged between 28-35. Posters, leaflets and business cards will be distributed throughout the campaign, which is supported by a network of 95 fertility clinics throughout England.
Health Minister, Melanie Johnson, said that the campaign would help to raise awareness of the "huge benefits" that donation could bring to couples with fertility problems. She said: "As well as boosting the number of egg and sperm donors, we want to encourage people to see the value of donating and to realise what it really means to the recipients: that they are giving families hope and the possibility of a new a life."
However, the campaign is launching just as changes are being made in the law to remove anonymity. Under the new rules, donor-conceived children will be able to discover the identity of their donor, when they turn eighteen. The new regulations will only apply to those who donate eggs or sperm after April 1, 2005 – those who donate before that date will remain anonymous. However, donors will still have no financial or legal obligations towards the child.
Ms Johnson said that the campaign would reinforce that fact and said: "By donating today, people are just giving an infertile couple the chance of having a child."
Around one in seven couples in the UK have fertility problems. Seven thousand patients receive treatment using donated eggs or sperm each year and, as a result, around two thousand children are born.
The Department of Health estimates that donations from just 0.01% of the UK fertile population would meet the current requirements for donor eggs and sperm. Currently, 250 men and 1100 women donate their eggs every year.
The 'Give Life, Give Hope' campaign will also promote the National Gamete Donation Trust, which provides information on donating eggs and sperm. Information is available through their helpline on : 0845 2269193 and their web site at www.ngdt.co.uk
(KMcA/SP)
The 'Give Life, Give Hope' campaign will target men aged between 28-45 and women aged between 28-35. Posters, leaflets and business cards will be distributed throughout the campaign, which is supported by a network of 95 fertility clinics throughout England.
Health Minister, Melanie Johnson, said that the campaign would help to raise awareness of the "huge benefits" that donation could bring to couples with fertility problems. She said: "As well as boosting the number of egg and sperm donors, we want to encourage people to see the value of donating and to realise what it really means to the recipients: that they are giving families hope and the possibility of a new a life."
However, the campaign is launching just as changes are being made in the law to remove anonymity. Under the new rules, donor-conceived children will be able to discover the identity of their donor, when they turn eighteen. The new regulations will only apply to those who donate eggs or sperm after April 1, 2005 – those who donate before that date will remain anonymous. However, donors will still have no financial or legal obligations towards the child.
Ms Johnson said that the campaign would reinforce that fact and said: "By donating today, people are just giving an infertile couple the chance of having a child."
Around one in seven couples in the UK have fertility problems. Seven thousand patients receive treatment using donated eggs or sperm each year and, as a result, around two thousand children are born.
The Department of Health estimates that donations from just 0.01% of the UK fertile population would meet the current requirements for donor eggs and sperm. Currently, 250 men and 1100 women donate their eggs every year.
The 'Give Life, Give Hope' campaign will also promote the National Gamete Donation Trust, which provides information on donating eggs and sperm. Information is available through their helpline on : 0845 2269193 and their web site at www.ngdt.co.uk
(KMcA/SP)
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16 March 2010
Drive For More Sperm Donation
Calls have been made for more British men to donate sperm to help those suffering from fertility problems. The National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT) said it needs to reach a minimum target of 500 donors this year to help couples in need. At present only 384 men are on the UK sperm donor register.
Drive For More Sperm Donation
Calls have been made for more British men to donate sperm to help those suffering from fertility problems. The National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT) said it needs to reach a minimum target of 500 donors this year to help couples in need. At present only 384 men are on the UK sperm donor register.
08 June 2004
Egg producers crack after FA rejection
British egg producers have been told where to get 'oeuf' by the Football Association (FA), after it refused permission for England football's famous three Lions to be printed on the nation's eggs. Britain's eggs currently carry a single Lion print on the shell to indicate that the product has been protected from salmonella.
Egg producers crack after FA rejection
British egg producers have been told where to get 'oeuf' by the Football Association (FA), after it refused permission for England football's famous three Lions to be printed on the nation's eggs. Britain's eggs currently carry a single Lion print on the shell to indicate that the product has been protected from salmonella.
21 January 2004
Donor children win right to learn parent's identity
Children conceived through sperm, egg and embryo donations will be able to learn the identity of their donor when they reach 18 years of age, the government announced today. Under the new regulations, only people who donate after April 1 2005 will be identifiable. People who donate before this date will not be subject to the new rules.
Donor children win right to learn parent's identity
Children conceived through sperm, egg and embryo donations will be able to learn the identity of their donor when they reach 18 years of age, the government announced today. Under the new regulations, only people who donate after April 1 2005 will be identifiable. People who donate before this date will not be subject to the new rules.
11 November 2004
Consultation on sperm donation is launched
As part of a comprehensive review by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), a public consultation on sperm, egg and embryo donation has been launched today.
Consultation on sperm donation is launched
As part of a comprehensive review by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), a public consultation on sperm, egg and embryo donation has been launched today.
14 November 2006
Kelly unveils £164m plan to tackle youth homelessness
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced a £164 million plan, which aims to tackle homelessness among young people. Mrs Kelly pledged to donate £74 million to support a series of schemes in 2007/2008 to provide supported lodgings for young people who cannot stay in the family home.
Kelly unveils £164m plan to tackle youth homelessness
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced a £164 million plan, which aims to tackle homelessness among young people. Mrs Kelly pledged to donate £74 million to support a series of schemes in 2007/2008 to provide supported lodgings for young people who cannot stay in the family home.
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