This title examines the regulatory framework for assisted reproduction technology in various jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and includes an overview of the situation in some Asian countries. It covers human rights, access, genetic screening, and the definition of the family.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This title was first published in 2003. This collection of papers examines the regulatory framework as it applies to assisted reproduction technology in a number of jurisdictions, including the UK and other European countries, the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as an overview of the situation in some Asian countries. Contributors consider a wide range of issues relating to human rights, access, genetic screening, and what constitutes the family.

Title: Assisted Reproduction Technology and the Regulatory Framework

This title was first published in 2003. This collection of papers examines the regulatory framework as it applies to assisted reproduction technology in a number of jurisdictions, including the UK and other European countries, the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as an overview of the situation in some Asian countries. Contributors consider a wide range of issues relating to human rights, access, genetic screening, and what constitutes the family.

Introduction

Assisted reproduction technology (ART) has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many couples seeking to have children through assisted means. However, the use of ART raises a number of ethical, legal, and social issues, which have led to the development of a regulatory framework to govern its use. This framework varies widely across different jurisdictions, and it is important to understand the differences between them in order to ensure that ART is used in a safe and ethical manner.

Regulatory Framework in the UK and Other European Countries

In the UK and other European countries, ART is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The HFEA was established in 1990 and is responsible for regulating all aspects of ART, including the licensing of clinics, the regulation of research, and the provision of information to patients. The HFEA has a number of regulations in place to ensure that ART is used in a safe and ethical manner, including the requirement for clinics to obtain a license before they can operate, the requirement for patients to provide informed consent before undergoing treatment, and the requirement for clinics to follow strict guidelines for the use of embryos and gametes.

One of the key issues that the HFEA has faced in recent years is the issue of surrogacy. Surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries a child for another person or couple. While surrogacy can be a successful way for couples to have children, it also raises a number of ethical and legal issues, including the rights of the surrogate mother, the rights of the intended parents, and the rights of the child. The HFEA has developed a number of regulations to address these issues, including the requirement for surrogacy agreements to be in writing and to be approved by a court, the requirement for surrogates to be screened for medical conditions, and the requirement for surrogates to be paid a fair wage.

Another issue that the HFEA has faced in recent years is the issue of genetic screening. Genetic screening is a process in which embryos are tested for genetic disorders before they are implanted into a woman's uterus. Genetic screening can help to identify embryos that are likely to have genetic disorders, which can then be avoided. However, genetic screening also raises a number of ethical and legal issues, including the rights of the embryo, the rights of the parents, and the rights of the child. The HFEA has developed a number of regulations to address these issues, including the requirement for genetic screening to be performed by qualified professionals, the requirement for parents to provide informed consent before undergoing genetic screening, and the requirement for clinics to follow strict guidelines for the use of genetic information.

Regulatory Framework in the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

In the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, ART is regulated by a variety of agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Canada Agency. The FDA is responsible for regulating the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices used in ART, while the CDC is responsible for regulating the safety of blood and tissue products used in ART. The Health Canada Agency is responsible for regulating the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices used in ART.

One of the key issues that the FDA has faced in recent years is the issue of drug safety. Drug safety is a critical issue in ART, as many drugs used in ART can have serious side effects. The FDA has developed a number of regulations to address this issue, including the requirement for drug manufacturers to conduct clinical trials before their drugs can be marketed, the requirement for drug manufacturers to report adverse events to the FDA, and the requirement for drug manufacturers to follow strict guidelines for the use of drugs in ART.

Another issue that the FDA has faced in recent years is the issue of drug pricing. Drug pricing is a critical issue in ART, as many drugs used in ART can be expensive. The FDA has developed a number of regulations to address this issue, including the requirement for drug manufacturers to provide discounts to patients, the requirement for drug manufacturers to report drug pricing information to the FDA, and the requirement for drug manufacturers to follow strict guidelines for the use of drugs in ART.

In addition to the FDA, the CDC has also faced a number of issues in recent years. One of the key issues that the CDC has faced is the issue of blood and tissue safety. Blood and tissue safety is a critical issue in ART, as many blood and tissue products used in ART can be contaminated with viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. The CDC has developed a number of regulations to address this issue, including the requirement for blood and tissue products to be tested for safety before they are used in ART, the requirement for blood and tissue products to be stored and transported in a safe and hygienic manner, and the requirement for blood and tissue products to be used only by qualified professionals.

In addition to the FDA and the CDC, the Health Canada Agency has also faced a number of issues in recent years. One of the key issues that the Health Canada Agency has faced is the issue of drug pricing. Drug pricing is a critical issue in ART, as many drugs used in ART can be expensive. The Health Canada Agency has developed a number of regulations to address this issue, including the requirement for drug manufacturers to provide discounts to patients, the requirement for drug manufacturers to report drug pricing information to the Health Canada Agency, and the requirement for drug manufacturers to follow strict guidelines for the use of drugs in ART.

Regulatory Framework in Some Asian Countries

In some Asian countries, ART is regulated by a variety of agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Family Planning. The regulatory framework in these countries varies widely, and it is important to understand the differences between them in order to ensure that ART is used in a safe and ethical manner.

One of the key issues that the Ministry of Health has faced in recent years is the issue of surrogacy. Surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries a child for another person or couple. While surrogacy can be a successful way for couples to have children, it also raises a number of ethical and legal issues, including the rights of the surrogate mother, the rights of the intended parents, and the rights of the child. The Ministry of Health has developed a number of regulations to address these issues, including the requirement for surrogacy agreements to be in writing and to be approved by a court, the requirement for surrogates to be screened for medical conditions, and the requirement for surrogates to be paid a fair wage.

Another issue that the Ministry of Health has faced in recent years is the issue of genetic screening. Genetic screening is a process in which embryos are tested for genetic disorders before they are implanted into a woman's uterus. Genetic screening can help to identify embryos that are likely to have genetic disorders, which can then be avoided. However, genetic screening also raises a number of ethical and legal issues, including the rights of the embryo, the rights of the parents, and the rights of the child. The Ministry of Health has developed a number of regulations to address these issues, including the requirement for genetic screening to be performed by qualified professionals, the requirement for parents to provide informed consent before undergoing genetic screening, and the requirement for clinics to follow strict guidelines for the use of genetic information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, assisted reproduction technology is a complex and rapidly evolving field that raises a number of ethical, legal, and social issues. The regulatory framework as it applies to ART varies widely across different jurisdictions, and it is important to understand the differences between them in order to ensure that ART is used in a safe and ethical manner. Contributors to this collection of papers have considered a wide range of issues relating to human rights, access, genetic screening, and what constitutes the family, and their work will be of great value to policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals seeking to have children through assisted means.

Weight: 454g
ISBN-13: 9781138742673