Attitudes towards issues around fertility treatment and genomics in medicine revealed

Clare Ettinghausen, Director of Strategy & Corporate Affairs, at the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), said:

“Our latest data shows that whilst the use of donor eggs and sperm increased from 2019 to 2020, the number of donor registrations decreased during this period. It’s therefore reassuring to see PET’s findings which suggest that over half of men surveyed would consider donation. However, we know it is harder for some ethnic minority patients to find donors with the same background.

“Donating eggs or sperm to help someone else to have a child is a selfless act but one that should be thought about carefully. Patients should always use a HFEA licensed clinic when using sperm donors to ensure that all medical and other checks are done, and the correct consents are taken. The HFEA’s Choose a Fertility Clinic tool on its website can help people find a licensed fertility clinic that’s right for them.”

Ends

PET, the independent fertility and genomics charity, has marked its 30th Birthday with a survey of UK attitudes towards issues around fertility treatment and genomics in medicine. Find out more on their website:
https://www.progress.org.uk/bionews/category/news/

Notes to editors

About the HFEA

• The HFEA is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
• Set up in 1990 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, the HFEA is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and inspecting fertility clinics to ensure patients and everyone born through fertility treatment receives high quality care.
• The HFEA is an ‘arm’s length body’ of the Department for Health and Social Care, working independently from Government providing free, clear, and impartial information about fertility treatment, clinics and egg, sperm and embryo donation.
• The HFEA is funded by licence fees, IVF treatment fees and a grant from UK central government. For more information visit, www.hfea.gov.uk.