The government announced (in the Queen's Speech) plans to proceed with a Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, and a Bill was published. The Bill was designed to update the regulation of assisted reproduction and embryo research, in the light of recent technological developments and changing societal perceptions. It covered regulation, embryonic sex selection, the welfare of the child, same-sex couples, and increasing the scope of embryo research activities.
Source: Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament, 6 November 2007, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [HL], Department of Health, TSO
Links: Queens Speech | Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | DH press release | BMA press release | SPUC press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Nov
The government responded to a report by a joint committee of MPs and peers on the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill. It set out the government's response to all of the Joint Committee's 31 recommendations. The government dropped plans to ban the creation of 'human-animal' embryos.
Source: Government Response to the Report from the Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill, Cm 7209, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | JC report | DH press release | HFEA press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A new book examined the legal and ethical implications of assisted reproduction and embryo research technologies, and the ways in which reproductive technologies were regulated.
Source: Ruth Deech and Anna Smajdor, From IVF to Immortality: Controversy in the era of reproductive technology, Oxford University Press (01536 741727)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Oct
The fertilization and embryology watchdog agreed in principle that scientists should be able to create human-animal embryos, in order to extract stem cells for medical research.
Source: Press release 5 September 2007, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (020 7377 5077)
Links: HFEA press release | BMA press release | SPUC press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Sep
The High Court ruled that it was lawful for doctors to treat a child, despite the parents' lack of consent, as treatment was in her best long-term interests if she survived. Treatment in the case concerned would give a 50 per cent chance of a normal life, but at the cost of considerable pain and suffering which the parents wished to avoid.
Source: The NHS Trust v A (a child) and others, High Court 18 July 2007
Links: Text of judgement
Date: 2007-Sep
A new book examined medical law from a human rights perspective.
Source: Elizabeth Wicks, Human Rights and Healthcare, Hart Publishing (01865 517530)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Aug
A new book examined the relationships between medical law and medical ethics.
Source: Jose Miola, Medical Ethics and Medical Law: A symbiotic relationship, Hart Publishing (01865 517530)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Aug
A report by a joint committee of MPs and peers said that the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos should be allowed for research, and that parents should register donor conception on a child?s birth certificate. It called on the government to scrap plans to create a new regulatory body through the merger of existing authorities dealing with human tissue and embryos.
Source: Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill, First Report (Session 2006-07), HC 630 and HL 169, Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill (House of Lords and House of Commons) Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | BAAF press release | BMA press release | Royal Society press release | SPUC press release | FT report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Aug
An article examined public attitudes to human cloning. Therapeutic cloning was viewed more favourably than reproductive cloning.
Source: Richard Shepherd et al., 'Towards an understanding of British public attitudes concerning human cloning', Social Science & Medicine Volume 65 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on the regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos.
Source: Government Response to the Report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: Government proposals for the regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos, Cm 7139, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2007-Jun
The draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill was published. Measures contained in the draft bill included a total ban on sex selection for non-medical reasons; explicit rules for embryo screening; and more scope for embryo research. It would allow the creation of human-animal embryos, reversing previous policy.
Source: Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill: Draft revised legislation for assisted reproduction and embryo research (including establishment of the Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryos), Cm 7087, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Draft Bill | DH press release | HEFA press release | Royal Society press release | BFS press release | BAAF press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | FT report
Date: 2007-May
A report by a committee of MPs said that government plans to outlaw the creation of embryos which were part-human, part-animal were 'unacceptable' and threatened to undermine Britain's leading position in stem-cell science.
Source: Government Proposals for the Regulation of Hybrid and Chimera Embryos, Fifth Report (Session 2006-07), HC 272, House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | BMA press release | Guardian report | FT report
Date: 2007-Apr
The fertilization/embryology watchdog began consultation on whether scientists should be allowed to create human-animal hybrid embryos (99.9 per cent human and 0.1 per cent animal).
Source: Hybrids and Chimeras: A consultation on the ethical and social implications of creating human/animal embryos in research, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (020 7377 5077)
Links: Consultation document | HFEA press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Apr
The fertilization/embryology watchdog approved plans for women to donate their eggs altruistically for medical research. Donors would not be paid, but would be eligible for expenses.
Source: Press release 21 February 2007, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (020 7377 5077)
Links: HFEA press release | BFS press release | SPUC press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Feb
A new book examined theory, research, policy, and practice in relation to ethical issues in the fields of health and social care.
Source: Audrey Leathard and Susan McLaren (eds.), Ethics: Contemporary challenges in health and social care, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jan
A report examined people?s attitudes to euthanasia. 4 out of 5 people said that the law should ?definitely? or ?probably? allow a doctor to end someone?s life at the person?s request if they had an incurable and painful illness from which they would die.
Source: Elizabeth Clery, Sheila McLean and Miranda Phillips, 'Quickening death: the euthanasia debate', British Social Attitudes: The 23rd Report - Perspectives on a changing society, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Natcen press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jan
