Louisa Ghevaert Archives - Page 16 of 57 - Louisa Ghevaert Associates

Understanding of Fertility, Genomics and Embryo Research in the UK in 2022

To mark its 30th anniversary in 2022, the Progress Educational Trust (“PET”) commissioned important research, supported by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, to gauge public awareness about fertility, genomics and embryo research in the UK. Ipsos carried out a nationally representative online survey of 2,233 UK adults on PET’s behalf between 24 - 27 March 2022. The results matter because they provide a snapshot of current public understanding and opinion about issues impacting the fertility sector and rapid advances in the field of genomics to combat genetic diseases. These research findings are also significant because they come at a time when law reform is expected in these key areas in the UK.

Women’s Health Strategy for England Marks a Step Forward

On average, women in the UK live longer than men, but they spend a significantly greater proportion of their lives in ill health and disability compared with men. On Wednesday 20 July 2022, the government therefore published its first ever Women’s Health Strategy for England. This is a much needed step forward to address the gender healthcare gap, recognising there has been a male orientated approach up until now in research and clinical trials, education and training for healthcare professionals as well as in the creation and delivery of healthcare policies and services.

Declaration of parentage: the importance of identity, status and birth certificates

In X v Y [2022] EWFC 77, the applicant applied to the English Family Court for a declaration of parentage following a 35-year search for her biological father to resolve issues relating to her identity and her birth certificate. In granting the application, the court navigated complex legal issues and drew inferences from the respondent’s refusal to undergo DNA testing and lack of opposition to the application. As such, X v Y [2022] EWFC 77 brings into close focus the importance of identity, status and parentage and the re-registration of birth certificates to provide properly maintained records not just for the benefit of individuals but for the public as well.

Trends in fertility treatment in 2022

Recent statistics published by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (‘HFEA’) in May 2022 brings into focus (1) the delay that many fertility patients continue to experience in starting treatment, (2) the decrease in egg and sperm donations in the UK during the pandemic and (3) the need for an overhaul and increased resources to help tackle the serious delays women face accessing gynaecology services in the UK. Moreover, recent news that the human genome can now be sequenced for as little as $100.00 creates new opportunities and challenges for fertility treatment delivery and will require a paradigm shift in our thinking, leadership and approach to law, policy and regulation.

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