Pandora’s box or the Holy Grail for fertility research? Watchdog debates IVGs

Rapid development of the science behind in-vitro gametes (IVGs) – sperm or eggs created genetically from reprogrammed skin or stem cells – has prompted the UK’s fertility watchdog to address their potential use, dangers and opportunities. 

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has urged the UK government to consider future regulation following its latest board meeting last week.

IVGs would dramatically increase capacity in fertility research and enable same-sex couples to have biological children together. Theoretically, solo and ‘multiplex’ (three people) parenting scenarios could also be possible, however, and their development raises legislative, ethical and medical questions.

Peter Thompson, chief executive of the HFEA, said: “In-vitro gametes (IVGs) have the potential to vastly increase the availability of human sperm and eggs for research and, if proved safe, effective, and publicly acceptable, to provide new fertility treatment options for men with low sperm counts and women with low ovarian reserve.

“Research on IVGs is progressing quickly but it is not yet clear when they might be a viable option in treatment. IVGs raise important questions and that is why the HFEA has recommended that they should be subject to statutory regulation in time, and that biologically dangerous use of IVGs in treatment should never be permitted. Currently, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act prohibits the clinical use of IVGs.

“This is the latest of a range of detailed recommendations on scientific developments that we are looking at to future proof the HFE Act, but any decisions around UK modernising fertility law is a matter for Parliament.”

Watch the full debate on IVGs from the HFEA board meeting here.