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Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 in Northern Ireland

1990 c. 37 · Enacted 1 November 1990 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 1 change made by later legislation has not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 28 November 2024.

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ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 33A(1)excludedHuman Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Commencement No.2) and (Commencement No.1 Amendment) 2009 art. 4

An Act to make provision in connection with human embryos and any subsequent development of such embryos; to prohibit certain practices in connection with embryos and gametes; to establish a Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; to make provision about the persons who in certain circumstances are to be treated in law as the parents of a child; and to amend the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985.

[1st November 1990]

C1Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C2

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified (temp.) by S.I. 1991/1400, art.3

Act modified by S.I. 1991/1400, art. 4(3)

Act referred to (S.) (1.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/291, rules 2.45-2.59 (Ch. 2 Pt. VI)

C2

Act applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Consequential Amendments and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1892), Sch. 4 paras. 1-12

Contents

  1. Principal terms used
  2. 1Meaning of “embryo”, “gamete” and associated expressions.
  3. 1AReference to Directives
  4. 2Other terms.
  5. 2AThird party agreements
  6. 2BMeaning of “importing licensee”, “third country premises” etc
  7. Activities governed by the Act
  8. 3Prohibitions in connection with embryos.
  9. 3ZAPermitted eggs, permitted sperm and permitted embryos
  10. 3AProhibition in connection with germ cells.
  11. 4Prohibitions in connection with gametes.
  12. 4AProhibitions in connection with genetic material not of human origin
  13. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, its functions and procedure
  14. 5The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
  15. 6Accounts and audit.
  16. 7Reports to Secretary of State.
  17. 8General functions of the Authority.
  18. 8ZADuties in relation to carrying out its functions
  19. 8ZBDuties of the Authority in relation to the Single European Code: Northern Ireland
  20. 8ADuty of Authority to communicate with competent authorities of EEA states: Northern Ireland
  21. 8BAgency arrangements and provision of services
  22. 8CContracting out functions of Authority
  23. 8DDisclosure of information where functions of Authority exercised by others
  24. 8EPower to assist other public authorities
  25. 9APower to delegate and establish committees
  26. 10Licensing procedure. Repealed
  27. Scope of licences
  28. 11Licences for treatment, storage and research.
  29. Licence conditions
  30. 12General conditions.
  31. 13Conditions of licences for treatment.
  32. 13AConditions of licences for non-medical fertility services
  33. 14Conditions of storage licences.
  34. 14AConditions of licences: human application
  35. 15Conditions of research licences.
  36. 15ADuties of the Authority in relation to serious adverse events and serious adverse reactions
  37. 15BInspection of third country premises etc.: Northern Ireland
  38. 15CThird country premises and third country suppliers: report of inspections etc: Northern Ireland
  39. Grant, revocation and suspension of licences
  40. 16Grant of licence.
  41. 17The person responsible.
  42. 18Revocation of licence
  43. 18AVariation of licence
  44. 19Procedure in relation to licensing decisions
  45. 19ANotification of licensing decisions
  46. 19BApplications under this Act
  47. 19CPower to suspend licence
  48. 20Right to reconsideration of licensing decisions
  49. 20AAppeals committee
  50. 20BProcedure on reconsideration
  51. 21Appeal on a point of law
  52. 22Temporary suspension of licence. Repealed
  53. Directions and guidance
  54. 23Directions: general.
  55. 24Directions as to particular matters.
  56. 25Code of practice.
  57. 26Procedure for approval of code.
  58. Status
  59. 27Meaning of “mother”.
  60. 28Meaning of “father”.
  61. 29Effect of sections 27 and 28.
  62. 30Parental orders in favour of gamete donors. Repealed
  63. Information
  64. 31Register of information
  65. 31ZARequest for information as to genetic parentage etc.
  66. 31ZBRequest for information as to intended spouse etc.
  67. 31ZCPower of Authority to inform donor of request for information
  68. 31ZDProvision to donor of information about resulting children
  69. 31ZEProvision of information about donor-conceived genetic siblings
  70. 31ZFPower of Authority to keep voluntary contact register
  71. 31ZGFinancial assistance for person setting up or keeping voluntary contact register
  72. 31AThe Authority's register of licences
  73. 31BThe Authority's register of serious adverse events and serious adverse reactions
  74. 32Information to be provided to Registrar General.
  75. 33ADisclosure of information
  76. 33BConsent required to authorise certain disclosures
  77. 33CPower to provide for additional exceptions from section 33A(1)
  78. 33DDisclosure for the purposes of medical or other research
  79. 34Disclosure in interests of justice.
  80. 35Disclosure in interests of justice: congenital disabilities, etc.
  81. Mitochondrial donation
  82. 35AMitochondrial donation
  83. Fees
  84. 35BFees
  85. Surrogacy
  86. 36Amendment of Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985.
  87. 37Amendment of law relating to termination of pregnancy.
  88. Conscientious objection
  89. 38Conscientious objection.
  90. Enforcement
  91. 38AInspection, entry, search and seizure
  92. 39Powers of members and employees of Authority. Repealed
  93. 40Power to enter premises. Repealed
  94. Offences
  95. 41Offences.
  96. 42Consent to prosecution.
  97. Miscellaneous and General
  98. 42APowers to make regulations in relation to standards of quality and safety
  99. 43Keeping and examining gametes and embryos in connection with crime, etc.
  100. 44Civil liability to child with disability.
  101. 45Regulations.
  102. 45APower to make consequential provision
  103. 45BOrders
  104. 46Notices.
  105. 47Index.
  106. 48Northern Ireland.
  107. 49Short title, commencement, etc.
  108. Schedule 1: The Authority: Supplementary Provisions
  109. Status and capacity
  110. 1Paragraph 1
  111. 2Paragraph 2
  112. Expenses
  113. 3Paragraph 3
  114. Appointment of members
  115. 4Paragraph 4
  116. 4AParagraph 4A
  117. Tenure of office
  118. 5Paragraph 5
  119. 5AParagraph 5A
  120. 5BParagraph 5B
  121. Disqualification of members of Authority for House of Commons and Northern Ireland Assembly
  122. 6Paragraph 6
  123. Remuneration and pensions of members
  124. 7Paragraph 7
  125. Staff
  126. 8Paragraph 8
  127. Proceedings
  128. 9Paragraph 9
  129. 10Paragraph 10
  130. 11Paragraph 11
  131. Instruments
  132. 12Paragraph 12
  133. 13Paragraph 13
  134. Investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner
  135. 14Paragraph 14
  136. Application of Statutory Instruments Act 1946
  137. 15Paragraph 15
  138. Schedule 2: Activities for which licences may be granted
  139. Licences for treatment
  140. 1Paragraph 1
  141. Embryo testing
  142. 1ZAParagraph 1ZA
  143. Sex selection
  144. 1ZBParagraph 1ZB
  145. Power to amend paragraphs 1ZA and 1ZB
  146. 1ZCParagraph 1ZC
  147. Licences for non-medical fertility services
  148. 1AParagraph 1A
  149. Licences for storage
  150. 2Paragraph 2
  151. Licences for research
  152. 3Paragraph 3
  153. Purposes for which activities may be licensed under paragraph 3
  154. 3AParagraph 3A
  155. General
  156. 4Paragraph 4
  157. Schedule 3: Consents to use OR STORAGE OF GAMETES, EMBRYOS OR HUMAN ADMIXED EMBRYOS ETC
  158. Consent
  159. 1Paragraph 1
  160. 2Paragraph 2
  161. Procedure for giving consent
  162. 3Paragraph 3
  163. Variation and withdrawal of consent
  164. 4Paragraph 4
  165. 4AParagraph 4A
  166. Use of gametes for treatment of others
  167. 5Paragraph 5
  168. In vitro fertilisation and subsequent use of embryo
  169. 6Paragraph 6
  170. Embryos obtained by lavage, etc.
  171. 7Paragraph 7
  172. Storage of gametes and embryos
  173. 8Paragraph 8
  174. Cases where consent not required for storage
  175. 9Paragraph 9
  176. 10Paragraph 10
  177. 11Paragraph 11
  178. Renewal of consent to storage of gametes
  179. 11AParagraph 11A
  180. 11BParagraph 11B
  181. Renewal of consent to storage of embryos
  182. 11CParagraph 11C
  183. 11DParagraph 11D
  184. Creation, use and storage of human admixed embryos
  185. 12Paragraph 12
  186. 13Paragraph 13
  187. 14Paragraph 14
  188. Parental consent conditions
  189. 15Paragraph 15
  190. Adults lacking capacity: exemption relating to use of human cells etc.
  191. 16Paragraph 16
  192. Consent to use of human cells etc. not required: adult lacking capacity
  193. 17Paragraph 17
  194. Consulting carers etc. in case of adult lacking capacity
  195. 18Paragraph 18
  196. Effect of acquiring capacity
  197. 19Paragraph 19
  198. Use of cells or cell lines in existence before relevant commencement date
  199. 20Paragraph 20
  200. Conditions for grant of exemption in paragraph 20
  201. 21Paragraph 21
  202. Interpretation
  203. 22Paragraph 22
  204. Schedule 3ZA: CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH OFFER OF COUNSELLING REQUIRED AS CONDITION OF LICENCE FOR TREATMENT
  205. Part 1: Kinds of treatment in relation to which counselling must be offered
  206. 1Paragraph 1
  207. 2Paragraph 2
  208. 3Paragraph 3
  209. Part 2: Events in connection with which counselling must be offered
  210. 4Paragraph 4
  211. 5Paragraph 5
  212. 6Paragraph 6
  213. 7Paragraph 7
  214. Schedule 3A: SUPPLEMENTARY LICENCE CONDITIONS: HUMAN APPLICATION
  215. A1Paragraph A1
  216. Modification of the definition of partner donation in the second Directive
  217. B1Paragraph B1
  218. Traceability system
  219. 1Paragraph 1
  220. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  221. Serious adverse events and serious adverse reactions : Great Britain
  222. 3Paragraph 3
  223. Serious adverse events and serious adverse reactions: Northern Ireland
  224. 3AParagraph 3A
  225. Third party agreements and termination of licensed activities
  226. 4Paragraph 4
  227. Requirements for procurement of gametes and embryos
  228. 5Paragraph 5
  229. Selection criteria and laboratory tests required for donors of reproductive cells
  230. 6Paragraph 6
  231. 7Paragraph 7
  232. 7AParagraph 7A
  233. 8Paragraph 8
  234. Donation and procurement procedures and reception at the tissue establishment
  235. 9Paragraph 9
  236. Requirements for holding a licence under paragraph 1, 1A or 2 of Schedule 2
  237. 10Paragraph 10
  238. Requirements for holding a licence for gametes and embryo preparation processes
  239. 11Paragraph 11
  240. Modifications to the first, second and third Directives
  241. 11AParagraph 11A
  242. 11BParagraph 11B
  243. 11CParagraph 11C
  244. Interpretation of this Schedule
  245. 12Paragraph 12
  246. Schedule 3AA: Requirements where gametes or embryos imported from third country
  247. A1Paragraph A1
  248. Directions
  249. 1Paragraph 1
  250. 2Paragraph 2
  251. 3Paragraph 3
  252. Modifications to the fourth Directive
  253. 3AParagraph 3A
  254. Interpretation of this Schedule
  255. 4Paragraph 4
  256. Schedule 3B: Inspection, entry, search and seizure
  257. Inspection of statutory records
  258. 1Paragraph 1
  259. Inspection of documents held by an importing licensee
  260. 1AParagraph 1A
  261. Arranging inspections
  262. 2Paragraph 2
  263. Entry and inspection of premises
  264. 3Paragraph 3
  265. 4Paragraph 4
  266. 4AParagraph 4A
  267. Entry and search in connection with suspected offence
  268. 5Paragraph 5
  269. Execution of warrants
  270. 6Paragraph 6
  271. Seizure in the course of inspection or search
  272. 7Paragraph 7
  273. Supplementary provision
  274. 8Paragraph 8
  275. 9Paragraph 9
  276. Enforcement
  277. 10Paragraph 10
  278. Interpretation
  279. 11Paragraph 11
  280. Schedule 4: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  281. Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46. )
  282. 1Paragraph 1
  283. Social Security Act 1975 (c. 14. )
  284. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  285. Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975 (c. 15. )
  286. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  287. Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36. )
  288. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  289. Family Law Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 (S. I. 1977/1250 (N. I. 17))
  290. 5Paragraph 5
  291. Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 28. )
  292. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  293. Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S. I. 1987/2203 (N. I. 22))
  294. 7Paragraph 7
  295. Human Organ Transplants Act 1989 (c. 31. )
  296. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  297. Human Organ Transplants (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2408 (N.I. 21)
  298. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed