16 January 2019
We have seen debate and new guidance on the merits of IVF ‘add-ons’. There has been increased focus on fertility preservation, including egg freezing and posthumous conception. There have also been changes and developments in surrogacy law and practice.
IVF ‘add-ons’
There has been growing debate and coverage about the efficacy and merits of IVF ‘add-ons’. As a result, the HFEA has today published a consensus statement together with 10 leading professional and patient fertility groups, on how IVF ‘add-ons’ should be offered ethically to patients undergoing treatment. This follows growing concerns about the benefits and costs of IVF ‘add-ons’ offered to fertility patients. The Chair of the HFEA, Sally Cheshire CBE said:
“It’s crucial that clinics are transparent about the add-on treatments they offer, including the potential costs, to ensure patients know exactly whether they are likely to increase their chance of having a baby.
“That is why we’ve been working with professional groups such as the British Fertility Society to decide how unproven treatments into clinical practice should be correctly and ethically introduced, which is a vital step towards a more transparent approach in fertility services.
“We are now expecting clinics to provide information about treatment add-ons to patients, including what evidence there is of effectiveness.”
This follows the HFEA’s decision to publish ‘traffic light’ rated information about the merits of IVF ‘add-ons’ in May 2018 and its updated guidance today. This system grades various ‘add-on’ treatments. A red rating signifies there is no evidence it is effective and safe. An amber rating signifies there is a small or conflicting body of evidence and further research is needed meaning ‘the technique cannot be recommended for routine use’. A green rating signifies there is more than one good quality trial which shows the procedure is effective and safe. However, currently none of the assessed ‘add-ons’ have been given a green rating and today’s HFEA guidance concludes ‘we don’t think any of these techniques should be used routinely.’
Significant numbers of fertility patients have invested precious time, energy and money in IVF ‘add-ons’ in the hope of having a much wanted child. Given this latest HFEA guidance about ‘add-ons’, it begs further questions about their use and benefit in treatment and the implications for patients and their families.
Fertility preservation
In today’s busy and uncertain times, there is more need than ever to consider fertility preservation and maximisation. Increasing numbers of people are leaving it longer to settle down and have children for a variety of reasons including, education, career building, economic factors and difficulties meeting a suitable partner.
Whilst we often ‘future proof’ other areas of our lives, many people are not taking adequate steps to preserve and maximise their fertility. This can risk serious problems and heartache for those that go on to grapple with their own or a loved one’s dwindling fertility window, accident, illness or death.
Whilst egg freezing techniques have improved in recent years, there is still only limited data on success rates in practice. In 2016, egg freezing made up only 1.5% of the 68,000 treatment cycles carried out. Egg freezing is not risk free and it does not guarantee a baby. It also carries a cost of between £7,000 – £8,000 for egg freezing, thawing and transfer.
Illness or death can strike at any time. Last year BBC broadcaster Rachael Bland went to great lengths to highlight her 2-year battle with breast cancer and her fight to preserve her fertility on her blog Big C Little Me. Her story continues to strike a chord with many women and you can read more on my blog and in my article in Female First.
There was also increased focus on posthumous conception last year. This follows a first-of-its-kind legal ruling last summer by The Court of Protection to step in and protect the sperm of a fatally injured man, who had been in the early stages of fertility treatment with his wife. I was part of the wife’s legal team and this ruling is significant because it sends an important message that in appropriate circumstances individual fertility and reproductive legacy is capable of protection. You can read more on my blog and in my comment piece.
Surrogacy law reform and practice
On 3 January 2019 new law came into operation which for the first time enables single people to apply for a parental order for their surrogate born child. This is welcome news and follows years of calls for law reform by many in the sector including myself.
Single applicants must meet the relevant legal criteria, which includes being their child’s biological parent and applying within six month’s of the birth. There is also a six month remedial window in which applications can be made for older surrogate born children within six months of the law changing i.e until 2 July 2019.
However, further reform is still needed to make outdated surrogacy law fit for 21st century family building in Britain. I was honoured to give expert evidence on surrogacy law reform to The All Party Parliamentary Group on Surrogacy (APPG on Surrogacy) led by Andrew Percy MP in parliament in November 2018. I was pleased to see lively discussion about the issues and to share my thoughts and suggestions for law reform following my legal work in this area over the last decade.
Fertility and family law for modern families continues to rapidly evolve. This makes it important for people to take time to understand the complex legal landscape and take proactive measures to preserve their fertility and protect their much wanted children and families.
Need an expert fertility lawyer or family lawyer? If you would like to discuss your situation or you would like specialist legal parentage, fertility and family law advice contact Louisa Ghevaert by email louisa@louisaghevaertassociates.co.uk or by telephone +44 (0)20 7965 8399.
