A consultation began on sperm, egg and embryo donation. It covered topics such as the limits on the number of children per donor; how the characteristics of donors should be matched with patients; how much donors should be compensated; whether egg donors should be compensated at the same level as sperm donors; and how strict regulation should be on allowing sperm, eggs and embryos to be imported into the United Kingdom.
Source: The Regulation of Donor-Assisted Conception, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (020 7377 5077)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | HFEA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Nov
The High Court ruled that the quality of life of a premature baby (Charlotte Wyatt) would be so poor that further 'aggressive' treatment was not in her interests.
Source: Portsmouth NHS Trust v. Derek Wyatt, Charlotte Wyatt by her Guardian (CAFCASS), EWHC 2247 (Fam), High Court of Justice, 7 October 2004
Links: Text of judgement (Word file) | Catholic Church press release | Mencap press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Oct
A discussion document considered the implications of developments in human genetics for the kinds of choices facing people having children, and the wider social impact of those choices. Issues included whether parents should have unlimited choices about what genetic disorders a foetus could be tested for during pregnancy; and the implications of developments in human genetics for the framework and organisation of medical services.
Source: Choosing the Future: Genetics and reproductive decision making, Human Genetics Commission (020 7972 1518)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The government issued guidance on the provision of sexual health advice and treatment to children under 16. Doctors and health professionals should discuss with those seeking contraception the emotional and physical implications of sexual activity; and should seek to establish whether relationships prompting appeals for contraception were mutually agreed, or subject to coercion or abuse. The guidance reinforced patients' right to confidentiality in most cases: but the duty to maintain confidentiality was not absolute - where a health professional believed there was a risk to the health, safety or welfare of a young person which was so serious as to outweigh the right to privacy, they should follow agreed child protection protocols.
Source: Best Practice Guidance for Doctors and other Health Professionals on the Provision of Advice and Treatment to Young People under 16 on Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Guidance (pdf) | FPA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority decided that tissue-matching tests could be carried out on embryos even though they were not directly in the interest of the future baby, but would only benefit the sick brother or sister. The authority concluded that research had shown the tests, although invasive, did no harm to the embryo and were acceptable if they might save a child's life.
Source: Press release 21 July 2004, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (020 7377 5077)
Links: HFEA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The High Court ruled that doctors were under a duty to unequivocally fulfil a patient s wishes to life-prolonging treatment; and, if no 'living will' existed, that they should presume that treatment should be given, unless the patient would deem their life to be intolerable .
Source: Burke v. General Medical Council, High Court 30 July 2004
Links: GMC press release | DRC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The Human Tissue Bill was given a third reading. The Bill was designed to provide a consistent legislative framework for issues relating to whole body donation and the taking, storage and use of human organs and tissue.
Source: Human Tissue Bill, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 28 June 2004, columns 26-124, TSO
Links: Hansard | Text of Bill | Explanatory notes
Date: 2004-Jun
Researchers assessed the ability of the new advisory and regulatory framework for biotechnology to respond to issues of public trust in the field of human genetics.
Source: Brian Salter and Mavis Jones, Reforming the Governance of Human Genetics: The politics of public trust, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2004-Feb
The government published a summary of responses to a consultation exercise on the retention of human organs and tissues by National Health Service pathology services. There was broad agreement that clear consent should be fundamental to any new legislation and regulatory system.
Source: Human Bodies, Human Choices: Summary of responses to the consultation report, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf) | Consultation document (pdf)
Date: 2004-Feb
The Human Tissue Bill was given a second reading. The Bill was designed to provide a consistent legislative framework for issues relating to whole body donation and the taking, storage and use of human organs and tissue. Some researchers expressed concern at the possible legal threat to their future work.
Source: Human Tissue Bill, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 15 January 2004, columns 984-1045, TSO | Press release 14 January 2004, Wellcome Trust (020 7611 7329)
Links: Text of Bill | Hansard | HOC briefing paper (pdf) | MRC press release | Wellcome Trust press release
Date: 2004-Jan
