UK government responds to call for change in reproduction technology

Internet based sperm donation services do need to be regulated, the government has accepted, in launching a consultation on its review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.

It plans to consult on the extent of regulation needed for such online services, as well as on a wide range of other controversial reproduction issues, including the sex selection of embryos, use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and welfare of children born through assisted reproduction.

In its response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's report on human reproductive technologies and the law (BMJ 2005;330: 745), the Department of Health confirms the government's support for creating embryos for research but rejects any …