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03/09/2008
Fertility Clinics Urged To Use Single Embryos To Cut Multiple Pregnancies
Single embryos for women younger than 37 to cut the rate of multiple pregnancies should be used by fertility clinics experts have said.
The British Fertility Society (BFS) and the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) have issued new guidelines in the journal Human Fertility to help UK clinics introduce an elective single embryo transfer (eSET) policy for IVF treatment.
Single embryo transfer is the only effective method to reduce IVF multiple pregnancy rate, the single biggest health risk to both mother and child associated with fertility treatment. UK practice in this area currently lags behind most of Europe and Australia, principally due to the lack of adequate state funding.
Mr Tony Rutherford, Chair of the BFS Policy and Practice Committee, said: "The key to success with this strategy is more NHS funding. The British Fertility Society strongly believes that the health benefits to children, the reduction in distress for families and the enormous cost savings for society make an overwhelming case for single embryo transfer in certain situations. Transferring only one embryo to those women most at risk of having twins is the only effective method to reduce the multiple birth rate after IVF treatment. It is imperative that elective single embryo transfer is made the norm for these women in the UK, as it is elsewhere in Europe. The only way in which this strategy can be effectively implemented for the benefit of both mothers and babies is for the NHS to increase funding to allow full implementation of the NICE guidelines on fertility treatment."
Mrs Rachel Cutting, from the Association of Clinical Embryologists, said: "New advances in embryology mean we can tackle the risks of multiple births much more effectively than ever before. These guidelines provide a clear, evidence based approach to judging embryo quality, the optimum time to transfer embryos, and the importance of an effective cryopreservation programme. The Association of Clinical Embryologists is committed to working towards a reduction in the number of multiple births, but this can only be achieved if adequate funding is provided by the state. Embryologists are key to helping to reduce multiple pregnancy."
(CD/JM)
The British Fertility Society (BFS) and the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) have issued new guidelines in the journal Human Fertility to help UK clinics introduce an elective single embryo transfer (eSET) policy for IVF treatment.
Single embryo transfer is the only effective method to reduce IVF multiple pregnancy rate, the single biggest health risk to both mother and child associated with fertility treatment. UK practice in this area currently lags behind most of Europe and Australia, principally due to the lack of adequate state funding.
Mr Tony Rutherford, Chair of the BFS Policy and Practice Committee, said: "The key to success with this strategy is more NHS funding. The British Fertility Society strongly believes that the health benefits to children, the reduction in distress for families and the enormous cost savings for society make an overwhelming case for single embryo transfer in certain situations. Transferring only one embryo to those women most at risk of having twins is the only effective method to reduce the multiple birth rate after IVF treatment. It is imperative that elective single embryo transfer is made the norm for these women in the UK, as it is elsewhere in Europe. The only way in which this strategy can be effectively implemented for the benefit of both mothers and babies is for the NHS to increase funding to allow full implementation of the NICE guidelines on fertility treatment."
Mrs Rachel Cutting, from the Association of Clinical Embryologists, said: "New advances in embryology mean we can tackle the risks of multiple births much more effectively than ever before. These guidelines provide a clear, evidence based approach to judging embryo quality, the optimum time to transfer embryos, and the importance of an effective cryopreservation programme. The Association of Clinical Embryologists is committed to working towards a reduction in the number of multiple births, but this can only be achieved if adequate funding is provided by the state. Embryologists are key to helping to reduce multiple pregnancy."
(CD/JM)
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29 July 2005
Fertility watchdog seeks to reduce IVF risks
The UK regulator for fertility treatment, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), is looking to review the number of embryos transferred during fertility treatment. The review will determine whether the UK will reduce the number of embryos transferred back to women following IVF from two or three to one.
Fertility watchdog seeks to reduce IVF risks
The UK regulator for fertility treatment, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), is looking to review the number of embryos transferred during fertility treatment. The review will determine whether the UK will reduce the number of embryos transferred back to women following IVF from two or three to one.
14 February 2005
Woman in frozen embryo row takes case to Europe
A British woman, left infertile after cancer treatment, is to take her case to the European Court of Human Rights, in order to win the right to use frozen embryos created from her eggs. Natalie Evans was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and decided to undergo IVF treatment with her fiancé, Howard Johnson in 2001.
Woman in frozen embryo row takes case to Europe
A British woman, left infertile after cancer treatment, is to take her case to the European Court of Human Rights, in order to win the right to use frozen embryos created from her eggs. Natalie Evans was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and decided to undergo IVF treatment with her fiancé, Howard Johnson in 2001.
01 October 2003
Women lose right to save frozen embryos
Two women have lost a High Court bid to gain control over their frozen embryos without the consent of their former partners. Natallie Evans, 31, and Lorraine Hadley, 38, had been seeking the High Court to rule on whether they could complete an in vitro fertilization programme that had been commenced with former partners.
Women lose right to save frozen embryos
Two women have lost a High Court bid to gain control over their frozen embryos without the consent of their former partners. Natallie Evans, 31, and Lorraine Hadley, 38, had been seeking the High Court to rule on whether they could complete an in vitro fertilization programme that had been commenced with former partners.
17 January 2008
'Hybrid' Human-Beast Embroy Research Approved
The British fertility regulator has given the go-ahead for the creation of what has been dubbed hybrid human-animal embryos. Experts from King's College London and Newcastle University will now be able to carry out research using the embryos, which they hope will pave the way for new treatments for a range of diseases.
'Hybrid' Human-Beast Embroy Research Approved
The British fertility regulator has given the go-ahead for the creation of what has been dubbed hybrid human-animal embryos. Experts from King's College London and Newcastle University will now be able to carry out research using the embryos, which they hope will pave the way for new treatments for a range of diseases.
07 March 2006
British woman loses legal battle over embryos
A British woman has lost her legal battle to use her frozen embryos to have a baby at the European Court of Human Rights. Natalie Evans, 35, from Wiltshire, had started IVF treatment with her then partner, Howard Johnson, in 2001, after treatment for ovarian cancer left her infertile.
British woman loses legal battle over embryos
A British woman has lost her legal battle to use her frozen embryos to have a baby at the European Court of Human Rights. Natalie Evans, 35, from Wiltshire, had started IVF treatment with her then partner, Howard Johnson, in 2001, after treatment for ovarian cancer left her infertile.
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