HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 c534W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to instruct the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to contract donors of sperm or eggs whose embryos will be kept past the five-year limit. [29338]

Mr. Horam

Most embryos currently in store were created from gametes from couples being treated together. In a small number of cases, donor gametes were used. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has issued guidance on the steps to be taken to alert couples and, where appropriate, donors to the arrangements available for extending the storage period. The authority has also had a series of meetings with centres where it has stressed the importance of making all reasonable effort to contact those whose embryos are nearing the end of their storage period.

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