British Fertility Society - Broad welcome for embryo screening report

The British Fertility Society today said the Science and Technology Committee's report on Human Reproductive Technologies were in line with its ideals of evidence-based decision-making in reproductive medicine, but it had mixed views on the issue of gender selection.

It welcomed openness in fertility treatment, but was concerned over the effects of the removal of anonymity on donor fertility services in the UK. It also welcomed the view that the regulatory and policy making functions of the HFEA should be separated.

Alison Murdoch, chair of the British Fertility Society, said: "NICE recommendations, supported by the government, place the responsibility for the provision of IVF treatment alongside other medical treatments receiving NHS funding. It is appropriate, therefore, that regulation is more consistent with that applied to other clinical treatments. The Select Committee takes us a step further in this direction."