BMA response to the science and technology select committee report on human reproductive technologies and the law

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 24 Mar 2005 - 15:00 PDT

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UK - Responding to the Science and Technology Health Select Committee Report discussing the work of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), Dr Michael Wilkes, Chairman of the BMA Ethics committee said:

"The BMA agrees with some of the conclusions in this report but does not accept all of its recommendations. We are particularly opposed to proposals which would allow parents to select the gender of their children for social reasons. It is important that we retain a balance between the rights of people seeking treatment, the interests of the children born and the legitimate interests of society.

"We reject the recommendation that the regulatory and advisory functions of the HFEA should be separated. The combined functions of the HFEA give the organisation more strength and enable it to make informed policy and licensing decisions."

He added:

"We believe the HFEA has an important role to play in protecting patients and in setting the boundaries within which individuals and doctors should be free to make their own decisions. Given the public concern about the use of embryos we believe that the licensing of embryo research should remain within the remit of the HFEA."

Public Affairs Division
British Medical Association
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP

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