By law, clinics and research centers must also be inspected every two years to ensure they continue to provide safe, legal and high-quality services and research in accordance with our Code of Conduct. Sometimes we inspect clinics and centres more frequently when we need them, for example, if something has happened to us, such as an incident or complaint. The couple must also have followed the proper protocol, i.e. have received clear advice and guidance on the forms they sign. At the end, the partner receives legal parenthood and can be listed on the birth certificate. The law surrounding fertility treatment in a clinic is relatively clear. Under UK law, the legal mother of a child is always the woman who carries and gives birth to that child (regardless of biology). However, there are some differences depending on whether the couple is married or not. It is important to note that the forms must be filled out correctly before conception, otherwise they will not be effective and the partner will not be automatically recognized as the legal parent.

In the past, there have been a number of cases where forms have not been filled out correctly or not at all, often due to the fault of the fertility clinic, leaving the position of the second parent unresolved and unclear. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is legal in the UK and is widely used in private fertility clinics. The cost of IUI in the UK ranges from around EUR 800 to EUR 1,800 for an IUI cycle. If you want to keep costs down, you should know that many fertility clinics offer packages with 3 IUI cycles at a price of around 2,650 EUR, which is cheaper than buying single cycles. Fertility specialists suggest that you should prepare for at least three cycles to succeed (although results may vary depending on each patient`s case). If conception takes place at home and the mother is not married, the rules become a little more complicated. Indeed, it is possible that the donor will be recognized as the legal father of the child in these circumstances, regardless of the intentions of the parties, the agreement reached and what is ultimately noted on the child`s birth certificate. We provide clinics and research centres with guidance on how to meet their legal requirements in our Code of Conduct. Your fertility treatment is completely confidential. By law, doctors are not allowed to disclose your information and situation to your doctor or anyone else without your consent. You must include the names of your physicians on the consent form and indicate whether we can share identifying information with your prospective physicians.

Details of your treatment will not appear in your future child`s records. We are required to disclose information to the HFEA or other approved centers at your request under certain conditions: • In case of emergency. • In the context of legal proceedings and when a complaint is filed or parental genetic information is required. Currently, in the UK, mixing the above facets for more than one person is prohibited by law. The two main laws on IVF in the UK are the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (HFE) (as amended) and the HFE Act 2008. In 2004, Regulation 2004/1511 of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority allowed children conceived after the age of 18. access to the identity information of their sperm/ova/embryo donor. Today, fertility clinics and human embryo research centres in the UK must comply with both HFE legislation and the HFEA Code of Conduct. It provides guidance to help clinics conduct safe, effective and compliant treatments and research.

In addition, all laws and directives on assisted reproduction in the UK are in line with the European Union Tissue and Cells Directives (EUTCD) and NICE – evidence-based recommendations for health and care in England. The most recent amendment to the law led to the introduction of the HFE Act of 2008. This Act, together with the amended HFE Act 1990, is currently the main legal instrument governing the care and use of human embryos in the United Kingdom. The HEF Act of 2008 raised important points. Initially, the law prohibited sex selection of embryos for non-medical reasons. This means that under the current law, the only permissible case in which a parent can choose the sex of their child is if they want to avoid a serious illness that affects only male or female family members. This law also recognized same-sex couples as legal parents of children born through surrogacy. In addition, the use of language in the 2008 law suggests that it recognizes that effective parenting is not gendered. For example, it replaced „the need for a father” with „the need for a supportive parent” in one of its provisions on the duty of parents. The law also ensured that all human embryos outside the body were subject to strict regulation. As egg donation in the UK is no longer anonymous since 1 April 2005, egg donors are required by law to be identifiable to any person or persons conceived as a result of their donation. Information provided by clinics includes donor age, blood type and rhesus factor, ethnicity, education accomplished, hobbies, physical characteristics (height, weight, eye and hair color), athletic and musical abilities, and number of children.

Egg donors have no legal rights or obligations to their genetic children, but they can choose the number of children and families produced from their donated eggs (the maximum number is ten). In the UK, paying for egg donation is illegal. However, egg donors can receive compensation of up to £750 per donation cycle to cover their costs (such as travel, accommodation and childcare). Although it is not illegal in some countries, the UK, in particular, prohibits the selection of sperm, eggs or embryos to guarantee the sex of the baby. The only exception is if it is done to prevent genetic transmission of related diseases. In the UK, egg donation (as well as sperm and embryo donation) is offered to infertile heterosexual couples, single women and same-sex couples (women and men). What is important is the lack of a legal age limit for patients, and therefore UK fertility clinics set their own treatment limits. In general, private units allow women up to the age of 55 and NHS-funded fertility treatments are offered to women up to 42. The legal implications of current reproductive technologies are still hotly debated. More recently, studies have focused on the potential effects of IVF on children born through this technology, such as mental health and mental disorders.

Nevertheless, human embryo research centres and fertility clinics must now comply with the amended HFE Act of 1990 and the HFE Act of 2008. In addition, the regulation of these technologies continues to be overseen by the Human Fertilization & Embryology Authority. Donor confidentiality All patients undergoing assisted reproduction must be registered with Human Fertilization & Embryo Authorization (HFEA). The identity of an anonymous donor will not be disclosed. However, new laws in the UK allow children born from donated gametes to receive information about their genetic parents when they are 18 or older. Written consent Treatment cannot begin without the patient`s written consent. Each patient should ensure that they understand their fertility problem, the proposed treatment, its chances of success, its effects and side effects, alternative treatment options, and the ethical and legal issues related to fertility treatment. You can discuss these points with your partner or family. Advice is available upon request and legal advice can be obtained. Written consent is required for: • Use of the patient`s gametes for processing, donation or storage.