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Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act: A public consultation

  • Launch date:
    16 August 2005
  • Closing date:
    25 November 2005
  • Creator/s:
    Department of Health
  • Audience:
    Health and social care professionals
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown
  • Product number:
    ISBN 0101662424
  • Gateway number:
    5207

The Government announced in 2004 that it intended to review the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (the HFE Act), including holding a public consultation exercise in 2005.

The Government's aim in reviewing the HFE Act, is to ensure that the law remains effective and fit for purpose in the early 21st century. This consultation is part of a process of re-establishing a framework that is broadly acceptable to society.

This consultation fulfils the Government's promise and seeks views on whether and how the law might be updated given the rise of new technologies, changes in societal attitudes, international developments, and the need to ensure effective regulation. It takes full account of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's recent review of human reproductive technologies and the law.

An interactive discussion forum, to facilitate informal public and professional comment and debate on the review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, is also available.

Ordering hard copies of the consultation

Printed copies can be obtained (free of charge) from the DH Publications Orderline, quoting reference 269640, 'Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act - A public consultation'.

  • Contact:
    Christopher Cox
  • Address:
    Department of Health
    6th Floor North, Wellington House
    133-155 Waterloo Road, London
    SE1 6LH
  • Phone:
    Christopher Cox
    0207 972 46 59
  • Fax:
    Christopher Cox0207 972 43 00
  • Email:
    review-hfe-act@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Progress Educational Trust Discussion Forum

Progress Educational Trust was funded by the Department of Health to run an interactive discussion forum to facilitate informal public and professional comment and debate on the review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.

The discussion forum website is now closed, but a report on the project and the full text on CD are available from the Trust.

Responding to the consultation

The deadline for responses to this consultation is 25 November 2005.

It would greatly help us in analysing the responses if you could:

  • respond by email
  • make clear which questions you are responding to, preferably by filling in your responses after each question using the electronic response template above
  • keep answers brief and focussed
  • Please note that the contact address for responses via post has changed from that printed in the consultation document, the correct address is provided below.

Consultation outcome

Access keys