Act to benefit 21st century families

The twenty-first century family will benefit from changes in The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act which has come into force this October.

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said:  “This landmark legislation ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of scientific advances in this field, now and into the future. The Act has already touched so many lives – ensuring scientists have the opportunity to work on discovering new cures for devastating illnesses, and offering others the chance to have a much wanted family.”

The Government reviewed the 1990 Act and brought legislation up to date to reflect shifting family patterns and new technological advancements.

In April this year, same sex couples conceiving children through donated sperm, eggs or embryos, were finally recognised as legal parents.

Now all human embryos outside of the body must be processed using strict regulation.

Babies to order will not be allowed, so sex selection of children may only happen for medical reasons, such as to avoid a serious hereditary disease only affecting boys.

Embryos can also now be stored for up to 55 years in cases of early infertility in young women.