Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and in vitro Fertilisation

HL Deb 04 November 2002 vol 640 cc56-7WA

Baroness Masham of Ilton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with research reported earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine which found that babies conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilisation are more likely to have developmental anomalies than those created naturally, and [H L6127]

Whether they agree with the findings of a study published earlier this year in The Lancet that children conceived through in vitro fertilisation techniques were more likely to have cerebral palsy than naturally-conceived children. [HL6128]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:

A number of international studies have raised questions about some in vitro fertilisation techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The studies show a small increase in the number of babies with health problems. The results are not conclusive and the Medical Research Council and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are reviewing current research and advising what further research is necessary.