22 February 2007

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has agreed to allow women to donate their eggs to research projects, provided that there are strong safeguards in place to ensure that women are properly informed of the risks of the procedure and are properly protected from coercion.

Dr Marita Pohlschmidt, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Director of Research, welcomed the move saying, “Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to develop into an efficient and powerful therapeutic technique to improve chronic and disabling conditions like muscular dystrophy and allied diseases. However, the current shortage of eggs for research slows and delays efficient progress."

She continued, "We welcome the donation of eggs for research as long as women and their families have freedom of choice and are not placed under any kind of pressure. We are pleased that the HFEA has decided to allow egg donation for research under tight regulation.”

To read the HFEA's full statement, go to www.hfea.gov.uk