Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority about the ethics of and possible exploitation of women from permitting the sale of eggs; and whether they will ensure consideration is given to those issues by Parliament before any such policy is approved.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, provides that no payment shall be made for donation unless specified in directions by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Any payment to egg donors is therefore a matter for the HFEA. The HFEA launched a consultation on egg and sperm donation on 17 January 2011, which includes the issue of payments to donors for inconvenience or expenses. The Government have not had discussions with the HFEA about this. The consultation states: "““The law on the donation of sperm, eggs and embryos is set both by UK legislation and by a European directive which was implemented in 2007. This legal framework means that the UK has a responsibility to ensure that:""donation is voluntary and unpaid;""donors act from altruistic motives;""donation is in the spirit of contributing to a wider social good (‘solidarity between donor and recipient’ is the term used in law); and""there is an adequate supply of donor tissues and cells.""Payment for donation is not allowed by law. The essence of donation is the act of giving. Because the act of giving is generous and humane, the law does allow donors to receive compensation for inconvenience. This is different from and additional to compensation for expenses and loss of earnings””." Details of the consultation can be found on the HFEA website www.hfea.gov.uk/5605.html.