Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 provided for the establishment of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), an executive, non-departmental public body, the first statutory body of its type in the world. The HFEA is the independent regulator for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and human embryo research and came into effect on 1 August 1991. The 1990 Act ensured the regulation, through licensing, of:

• the creation of human embryos outside the body and their use in treatment and research
• the use of donated gametes and embryos
• the storage of gametes and embryos.

The Act also requires the HFEA keep a database of every IVF treatment carried out since that date and a database relating to all cycles and use of donated gametes (egg and sperm).

Criticism

A report of November 2012 by the civil society organisation Human Genetics Alert criticised the HFEA for allowing a legislative slide into human genetic engineering and designer babies.

Ties with LM Network

• Juliet Tizzard, head of Policy and Communications at HFEA, was a columnist for Living Marxism and has written for Spiked and the Institute of Ideas and contributed to a publication of the Pro-Choice Forum (PCF).

• Prof Emily Jackson, former deputy chair of the HFEA, co-authors with Dr Ellie Lee on abortion rights and is part of Pro-Choice Forum network. Both Ellie Lee and the Pro-Choice Forum are closely associated with Frank Furedi, Juliet Tizzard, Progress Educational Trust, et al. At a conference at Kent University, Jackson publicly endorsed human reproductive cloning. (See the abstract here.)

• Dr Andy Greenfield, joined the HFEA in November 2009, chairs the Ethical Review Committee that oversees the use of mice in biomedical research on site at the Medical Research Council, a funder of Science Media Centre.

People

• Peter Thompson, Chief Executive
• Nick Jones, Director of Compliance
• Mark Bennett, Director of Finance and Facilities

Members of the Authority

Chair, Prof Lisa Jardine (also President of British Science Association) | Deputy Chair, Gemma Hobcraft | Hossam Abdalla | Professor David Archard | Debbie Barber | Sally Cheshire | Jane Dibblin | Rebekah Dundas | Dr Andy Greenfield | Dr Susan Price | The Rt Reverend Dr Lee Rayfield | Dr Alan Thornhill

Executive Licensing Panel members

Juliet Tizzard, Head of Policy and Communications - Chair | Mark Bennett, Director of Finance & Facilities - Deputy chair | Nick Jones, Director of Compliance | Hannah Darby, Senior Policy Manager | Ian Peacock, Analyst Programmer | Rachel Hopkins, Head of Human Resources | Paula Robinson, Head of Business Planning | David Moysen, Head of Information Technology | Joanne Anton, Policy Manager | Matthew Watts, Regulatory Policy Manager | Jasper Squire, Computer Programmer

Licence Committee members

Sally Cheshire – Chair | Dr Andy Greenfield | Rt Reverend Dr Lee Rayfield | Debbie Barber | Gemma Hobcraft

Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC)

Dr Susan Price - (chair) | Dr Andy Greenfield (deputy chair) | Debbie Barber | Prof David Barlow (external advisor) | Prof Daniel Brison (external advisor) | Prof Peter Braude (external advisor) | Dr Melanie Davies (external advisor) | Dr Joyce Harper (external advisor) | Gemma Hobcraft (ex officio) | Dr Robin Lovell-Badge (external advisor) | Dr Alan Thornhill | Prof Lorraine Young (external advisor)

As at November 2012 members included:

• Prof Lisa Jardine - chair
• Prof Emily Jackson - deputy chair
• Hossam Abdalla
• Prof David Archard
• Juliet Tizzard – head of policy and communications.

Contact

Address:

Finsbury Tower

103-105 Bunhill Row

London, EC1Y 8HF

Tel: 020 7291 8200

Fax: 020 7291 8201

E-mail: enquiriesteam AT hfea.gov.uk

Website: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/