U.K. Advisory Panel Issues Recommendations On Limiting Number Of Embryos Implanted During IVF Procedure

An independent advisory panel commissioned by the U.K. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on Wednesday issued recommendations to limit the number of multiple births resulting from IVF treatments in the country, London's Guardian reports. According to the Guardian, about 25% of in vitro fertilization births in the country are twins (Randerson, Guardian, 10/19). Since 1980, the number of triplets and higher-order multiples born in the United Kingdom has tripled, and the number of twins born has increased steadily, primarily because of IVF treatments. HFEA in March 2004 began enforcing a regulation that clinics may not implant more than two embryos at the same time in women younger than age 40 and may not implant more than three embryos in women age 40 or older (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/8/04). The panel recommended that the number of embryos implanted be reduced from two to one in women more likely to conceive twins, which would be determined by the woman's age, quality of the embryos and other factors, Reuters reports (Reaney, Reuters, 10/18). In addition, the panel recommended the government further restrict an IVF clinic's embryo transfers or remove its license if it regularly records multiple birth rates of 5% to 10% (Henderson, Times, 10/19). The panel's report also said that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's recommendation that the National Health Service cover three IVF treatment cycles for women ages 40 years and older should be implemented (Fleming, Daily Telegraph, 10/19). HFEA said it will hold public hearings on the issue in the spring of 2007 and potentially issue new guidelines in the fall of next year (Guardian, 10/19).

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