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IVF

Asked by Luke MurphyLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 15 May 2025UIN 51678

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a national system for tracking gamete and embryo donors.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the United Kingdom’s fertility sector regulator, has advised that HFEA licensed clinics are required by law to provide treatment and outcome information on all gamete or embryo donations taking place at clinics.

This information is published on the HFEA’s website. Clinics are required to monitor the usage of donor gametes and embryos in the UK, and to act in accordance with the guidance set out in the HFEA Code of Practice.

The HFEA also runs the Opening The Register service, which enables people born through donor treatments in licenced clinics to trace their genetic origins.

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