Future of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Tissue Authority

In 2012 and early 2013 the Academy participated in consultations and discussions about the future of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). The HFEA and HTA have a role in regulating research involving human embryos and human tissue respectively. As part of the Government-wide review of arms-length-bodies, proposals were made to abolish the HFEA and HTA and transfer their research and non-research regulatory functions to separate bodies. The Academy responded to the Department of Health’s consultation in July 2012 and Fellows met with Mr Justin McCracken, the Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency, who led a second review.

In July 2013 the Government announced that it would accept the recommendations of Mr McCracken’s review and retain the two bodies as separate regulators. This was consistent with the Academy’s recommendations.