The Regulatory Horizons Council, an independent expert committee which advises the UK government on matters of technological innovation, has published a report on the next generation of assisted reproductive technologies.
PET (the Progress Educational Trust) was consulted for this work, which focuses on in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) as a case study. IVG technologies allow non-reproductive cells, such as the ones from the skin or blood, to be converted into gametes (eggs or sperm) in the laboratory. These approaches are still in their preclinical stage but could one day offer new options for people unable to produce their own gametes.
The report examines the current readiness of the UK legal and governance framework with regards to IVG, and sets out possible options for assessing and regulating these new technologies all while maintaining public trust.
The full report is accessible here.