Ethics briefings

• Published in: Journal of medical ethics Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 79 - 80
• Main Authors: Chrispin, E, English, V, Harrison, C, Sheather, J, Sommerville, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics 01-01-2009; Institute of Medical Ethics and BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Abortion; Artificial insemination; Assisted suicide; Common law; Criminal prosecution; Death; Depressive disorders; Embryology; Embryos; Mental depression; Parliaments; Physicians; Political debate; State laws; Suicide; Womens health
• ISSN: 0306-6800; 1473-4257
• DOI: 10.1136/jme.2008.028100

In addition to allowing the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority more flexibility in the way it regulates fertility treatment and research, the Bill: permits the creation of human/animal embryos (known as "human admixed embryos") for research purposes, particularly for the development of embryonic stem cells; provides exemptions to the need for consent for the use of cells to create embryos for research in some cases where the tissue was in storage for research at the time the Bill comes into force, or-with safeguards-where the donor is a child or an adult who lacks capacity; replaces the requirement to consider the child's "need for a father" with the requirement to consider the need for "supportive parenting"; allows same-sex couples to both be the legal parents of a child born by licensed fertility treatments; prohibits sex selection for non-medical reasons; allows a "cooling off period" of 12 months in which embryos may be stored where there is disagreement between the couple about the use of frozen embryos (currently embryos must be destroyed if consent to storage is withdrawn by either party); and allows the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to provide donor conceived people with information about donor conceived genetic half-siblings (people conceived using the same donor). [...]only one day was allocated and, through a tight programme motion, the Government restricted debate to three and a half hours.