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Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990

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Changes over time for: Section 4

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Changes to legislation:

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, Section 4 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 20 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

4 Prohibitions in connection with gametes.U.K.

(1)No person shall—

(a)store any gametes, or

[F1(b)in the course of providing treatment services for any woman, use—

(i)any sperm, other than partner-donated sperm which has been neither processed nor stored,

(ii)the woman's eggs after processing or storage, or

(iii)the eggs of any other woman,] F2...

F2(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

except in pursuance of a licence.

[F3(1A)No person shall procure, test, process or distribute any gametes intended for human application except in pursuance of a licence or a third party agreement.]

(2)A licence cannot authorise storing or using gametes in any circumstances in which regulations prohibit their storage or use.

(3)No person shall place sperm and eggs in a woman in any circumstances specified in regulations except in pursuance of a licence.

(4)Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) above may provide that, in relation to licences only to place sperm and eggs in a woman in such circumstances, sections 12 to 22 of this Act shall have effect with such modifications as may be specified in the regulations.

(5)Activities regulated by this section or section 3 [F4or 4A] of this Act are referred to in this Act as “activities governed by this Act”.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 4(1)(b) 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, 9(2)

F3S. 4(1A) 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, 9(3)

Commencement Information

I1S. 4 wholly in force at 1.8.1991 see s. 49(2) and S.I. 1991/1400, art. 2(2)

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