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The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) has announced a scheme, to pilot in the Newcastle NHS Fertility Centre, that will allow women to donate eggs for medical research in return for IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) treatment.
See also the press release on the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) scheme at the Newcastle University website
Professor Chris Higgins, Director of MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, said:
“Although not a scientific advance – this announcement simply gives scientists permission to undertake research that legislation already allows – this announcement is really good news. It ensures that the UK can continue to move ahead in stem cell research which promises to improve the health and quality of life of many individuals in the future. It also shows that a small but very vocal minority who are against any stem cell research cannot block enactment of well-argued legislation or prevent others carrying out groundbreaking research.”
Professor Anne McLaren of the Gurdon Institute at University of Cambridge, said:
“Egg sharing, subject to the very strict guidelines that the HFEA imposes, has been working well, allowing both women (rather than neither) the chance of having a baby. Women will now have the chance of donating some of their eggs to the exciting stem cell research projects that the Newcastle Centre is undertaking, in exchange for some financial help with their IVF treatment. Provided that the guidelines are strictly adhered to, and no undue financial inducement is offered, it seems entirely reasonable that women should be allowed to choose between donating their own eggs to another woman, or supporting research that may one day hold the key to such dire diseases as Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease.”
Dr Gillian Lockwood, Chair of the Ethics Sub-Committee of the British Fertility Society, said:
“The potential benefits of stem cell research in the treatment of degenerative diseases is so great that the prospect of increased availability of good quality eggs obtained via ‘egg-sharing’ is to be welcomed. It is unlikely to impact negatively on the availability of eggs for donation to recipients, and some women who need to undergo IVF to achieve a family may indeed prefer to donate anonymously to such important medical research.”
Professor Peter Braude, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kings College London, said:
“This is a difficult situation because there is a strong need for eggs for research. However, this licence surprises me as it is inconsistent with the stance of not paying for eggs for research. But the HFEA is about to embark on a consultation, so we will shall wait to see what the public thinks of this issue.”
Alastair Balls, CEO of the Centre for Life, Newcastle, said:
“This is a significant development for stem cell research and we are pleased that it provides new opportunities for the Stem Cell Institute at the Centre for Life.”