The UK's Human Genetics Commission (HGC) and National Screening Committee (NSC) have published a joint report on the potential testing of newborn babies to detect genetic variations with health implications. The document, entitled 'Profiling the newborn', concludes that routine newborn genetic profiling is not likely to be affordable for at...
The creation of human embryos using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) - 'cloning technology' - is now legal in Sweden, governed by legislation that came into effect on 1 April. An amendment to the 'Activities Involving Human Eggs for Research or Treatment Purposes Act' of 1991 means that Swedish researchers can now...
British people conceived using donated egg, sperm or embryos will be able to ask for identifying information about the donor when they reach the age of 18, following a law change that came into force on 1 April 2005. Fertility experts have welcomed the move towards openness, but fear that...
US researchers have identified an altered gene that causes people to go to bed early and wake up before dawn. People with the condition, called familial advanced sleep phase syndrome (FASPS), do not usually sleep any more or less than others - just at different times. The new study, published in...
As the deadline for the partial implementation of guidelines recommending free fertility treatment for patients in England and Wales passed last week, a new survey reveals that many couples are still facing lengthy waits. Following guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in February 2004, which recommended...
The UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is considering the labelling of all embryos, eggs and sperm with 'barcodes' or electronic identification tags, in a bid to prevent mistakes during fertility treatment. The tags would be attached to the base of containers holding the samples, and an alarm would...
Experts in clinical genetics and assisted reproduction met last week to discuss issues that affect both areas of medicine, such as embryo testing, genetic causes of infertility, possible long term effects of assisted reproduction techniques, counselling concerns and European regulations. The workshop, held at the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies...
Legislation authorising research on human embryonic stem (ES) cells was passed by both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives last week. The state Senate approved the bill by an overwhelming 35-2 votes on Wednesday, then the state House approved its version by 117-37 votes the following day...
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When will the full NICE guidelines on infertility treatment be implemented?
by Sir Kevin Barron
In May 2003, the National Infertility Awareness Campaign (NIAC) approached myself and other parliamentarians for assistance in setting up an All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility (APPGI), both to raise awareness in parliament of infertility issues and to put pressure on the Government to implement the National Institute of Clinical...