CGS : The United Kingdom

About United Kingdom Policies & Human Biotechnology

The United Kingdom's Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA), established in 1991, is often considered a model for regulating and overseeing human biotechnologies. It licenses and monitors all research involving human embryos, and all facilities offering in vitro fertilization or storage of eggs, sperm, or embryos. UK law does not permit certain activities involving human embryos.

The HFEA's 21 members are appointed by UK Health Ministers; at least half of them are required to be neither doctors nor scientists involved in human embryo research or infertility treatment.

To grant a research license, the HFEA must be satisfied that the use of human embryos is "necessary or desirable" for an enumerated purpose. The HFEA inspects licensed clinics annually; produces a Code of Practice that guides clinics on proper conduct; keeps a formal registry for donors, treatments, and children born; and conducts public consultations on controversial applications.

Time to Clean Up After Cloning Cattleby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesAugust 17th, 2010The USDA is still committed to promoting livestock cloning, but recent bad publicity makes it clear that the technology remains unpopular, unnecessary, and unethical.

"Weak and Meaningless" Guidelines for UK DTC Testsby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesAugust 10th, 2010The UK Human Genetics Commission's "A Common Framework of Principles for direct-to-consumer genetic testing services" rejects government regulation and relies entirely on voluntary guidelines.

Cloned beef in food chain spreads alarm in Britainby Raphael G. Satter, Associated PressAugust 4th, 2010News that meat and milk from the offspring of cloned cattle — illegal to sell in without proper authorization — may have made their way into the food chain has set hands wringing in the UK.

UK embryo agency faces the axeby Daniel Cressey, NatureAugust 3rd, 2010Coalition government promises to abolish respected regulator in effort to cut back on quangos.

Top IVF doctor defends offering help for parents to pick babies' sexby Lisa Adams, Daily RecordJuly 29th, 2010MEET the doctor who is making Scots' dreams of designing the perfect baby come true.

Hundreds of IVF embryos donated 'without consent'by Rebecca Smith, The TelegraphJuly 22nd, 2010Hundreds of British couples could have children that are biologically theirs living with other parents around Europe or across the world without knowing, it has emerged.

A People's History of the Human Genomeby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJune 30th, 2010Genewatch UK marked the 10th anniversary of the Human Genome Project announcement by publishing an extraordinary History with important current policy implications.

Incentives for Donation of Human Bodily Material?by Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesMay 10th, 2010The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has launched a public consultation about donating, or perhaps selling, human bodily material.

Watchdog under fire as number of IVF blunders soarsby Jo Macfarlane, The Daily MailApril 24th, 2010Reported mistakes at UK IVF clinics increased from 182 in 2007-08 to 334 in 2008-09, prompting calls for stronger enforcement of regulations.

The perils of cheap fertility drugs[Commentary]by Professor Bill Ledger, BBC NewsApril 21st, 2010Multiple births pose a health risk to both the mother and her babies, and put financial strain on health services.

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Letter to HFEA on Sex Selection

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