Sperm and egg donors should be identified as soon as the baby is born and children shouldn’t have to wait until they are 18 to identify their biological parents, says fertility watchdog
- Watchdogs say the age at which a child can find their biological parent should be lowered
- Currently, children born from fertility clinics must wait until they are 18
Sperm and egg donors can be quickly identified once the child is born, if proposed law changes proposed by a watchdog are approved.
The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has argued that laws regarding donor identification should be updated so that donor information is available immediately after birth – should the donor so choose.
Currently, children born from sperm or egg donations must wait until they are 18 to find out information about their birth parents.
Parents seeking fertility treatment would have to decide whether to choose a donor who was identifiable before their child turned 18 under the new laws.
The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has argued that laws regarding donor identification need updating
According to new proposals, children born from sperm or egg donation could find out their birth parents before they turn 18
HFEA stressed that in the event of a change in the law, there should be a legal requirement for clinics to ensure that donors and parents understand the risks of the child discovering their birth parents on DNA testing websites.
It is thought that around 60,000 people use fertility clinics in the UK each year.
The fertility watchdog also called for more power to regulate any “add-on treatments” offered by clinics, which can often unnecessarily cost patients thousands of extra bills.
Last year, the Competition and Markets Authority warned that fertility clinics were not providing information about the evidence for, or the risks associated with, additional treatments.
It said the add-ons can cost up to £2,500 per cycle.
The new HFEA consultation document states: “Some activities marketed as fertility treatments, but not covered by the law, take place outside of HFEA-approved clinics.
Some of these services may be in ‘wellness’ clinics, or they may be offered by introductory services advertised online.
“From the perspective of the patient undergoing fertility treatment, it’s all part of their ‘treatment journey’ and the HFEA should have powers in these areas.”
Around 60,000 people in the UK use fertility clinics each year
It also called for “wider powers to target fertility services outside licensed fertility clinics” and the ability to fine underperforming clinics.
It also said fertility clinics should share patient records between GPs and fertility clinics.
HFEA Chair Julia Chain said: “Many of the fertility laws have stood the test of time remarkably well, but modern fertility practices, emerging opportunities in research that can benefit patients and the changing expectations of donors and families are not reflected in the 30 year law.
“The HFE Act is the cornerstone of fertility regulation enforced by the HFEA to ensure that clinics provide patients with services that are safe and of a high standard; we are uniquely positioned to see where the law works well and where it doesn’t.
‘With input from an expert advisory group, we have identified where the law needs to be modernized in the interest of patients and their families.
“This includes providing more up-to-date powers to inspect and regulate fertility clinics in the best interest of patients and more choice around donor anonymity.
“However, it is important to note that any decision to update the law is for the government and ultimately parliament to decide.”
She added: ‘There is a lot of care being offered in both the NHS and the private sector.
‘But the enforcement powers we now have – suspending or revoking a permit – are too slow and blunt.
“We need a more flexible and gradual approach, like other regulators, that help shape clinic behavior and address serious non-compliance quickly.”
