Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990

1 (1) A licence under this paragraph may authorise any of the following in the course of providing treatment services— U.K.

(a) bringing about the creation of embryos in vitro,

[F1 (b) procuring, keeping, testing, processing or distributing embryos,

(c) procuring, testing, processing, distributing or using gametes]

[F2 (ca) using embryos for the purpose of training persons in embryo biopsy, embryo storage or other embryological techniques,]

(d) [F3 other] practices designed to secure that embryos are in a suitable condition to be placed in a woman F4 ... ,

(e) placing any [F5 permitted embryo] in a woman,

(f) mixing sperm with the egg of a hamster, or other animal specified in directions, for the purpose of testing the fertility or normality of the sperm, but only where anything which forms is destroyed when the test is complete and, in any event, not later than the two cell stage, and

(g) such other practices[F6 , apart from practices falling within section 4A(2),] as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, regulations.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a licence under this paragraph may be granted subject to such conditions as may be specified in the licence and may authorise the performance of any of the activities referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above in such manner as may be so specified.

(3) A licence under this paragraph cannot authorise any activity unless it appears to the Authority to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of providing treatment services.

[F7 (4) A licence under this paragraph cannot authorise altering the nuclear or mitochondrial DNA of a cell while it forms part of an embryo, except for the purpose of creating something that will by virtue of regulations under section 3ZA(5) be a permitted embryo.]

[F8 (4A) A licence under this paragraph cannot authorise the use of embryos for the purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(ca) unless the Authority is satisfied that the proposed use of embryos is necessary for that purpose.]

(5) A licence under this paragraph shall be granted for such period not exceeding five years as may be specified in the licence.

[F9 (6) In this paragraph, references to a permitted embryo are to be read in accordance with section 3ZA.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(b)(c) substituted (25.5.2007 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.7.2007) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Quality and Safety) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1522), regs 1, 29(a)(i)

F2 Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(ca) inserted (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

F3 Word in Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(d) inserted (25.5.2007 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.7.2007) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Quality and Safety) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1522), regs 1, 29(a)(ii)

F4 Words in Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(d) repealed (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(2)(b), Sch. 8 Pt. 1; S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

F5 Words in Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(e) substituted (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(2)(c); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

F6 Words in Sch. 2 para. 1(1)(g) inserted (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(2)(d); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

F7 Sch. 2 para. 1(4) substituted (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(3); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

F8 Sch. 2 para. 1(4A) inserted (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(4); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

F9 Sch. 2 para. 1(6) inserted (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), s. 68(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(5); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(v)

Commencement Information

I1 Schedule 2 para. 1 wholly in force at 1.8.1991 see s. 49(2) and S.I. 1991/1400, art. 2(2)