UK fertility watchdog considers laws for gene editing and lab-grown eggs
By Hannah Devlin,
The Guardian
| 08. 26. 2022
Human genome editing and lab-grown eggs that could theoretically allow same-sex couples to have biological children are among the anticipated scientific advances being discussed by the fertility watchdog to “future-proof” any prospective laws.
As it pushes for the biggest overhaul of fertility laws in 30 years, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is planning for a range of new reproductive treatments that scientists say could be just a few years away, according to a leading scientist advising the HFEA on its proposals.
The HFEA believes the 1990 act that governs the fertility sector needs updating and has previously said it will seek greater powers to fine clinics and changes to rules on donor anonymity, in recommendations that it will put to the government later this year. Now, a leading scientist who is advising the HFEA on its proposals says the regulator is also discussing whether to recommend changes that could pave the way for the use of lab-grown eggs and sperm, and human genome editing, if these techniques are shown to be sufficiently safe and medically justified...
Related Articles
Since the “CRISPR babies” scandal in 2018, no additional genetically modified babies are known to have been born. Now several techno-enthusiastic billionaires are setting up privately funded companies to genetically edit human embryos, with the explicit intention of creating genetically modified children.
Heritable genome editing remains prohibited by policies in the overwhelming majority of countries that have any relevant policy, and by a binding European treaty. Support for keeping it legally off limits is widespread, including among scientists...
By Ed Cara, Gizmodo | 06.22.2025
In late May, several scientific organizations, including the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT), banded together to call for a 10-year moratorium on using CRISPR and related technologies to pursue human heritable germline editing. The declaration also outlined...
By Elise Kinsella, ABC News | 06.15.2025
When *Sarah and her partner needed fertility testing, it was Monash IVF that the pair turned to.
"Having a quick browse online, Monash IVF was one of the most prominent ones that came up on Google search and after contacting...
By Tory Shepherd, The Guardian | 06.13.2025
IVF is “big business” and experts are concerned about conflicts of interest between profit-making and helping families have children.
Monash IVF’s second embryo bungle has sparked renewed scrutiny on the IVF industry as a whole amid calls for national regulation...