Monday, 25 January 2010

Men have to give written consent for their sperm to be used after death




This year a woman gave birth to a baby after using sperm from her dead husband.






Doctors took the sperm when her 30 year old husband died unexpectadly during a routine operation.






This case was widely debated, and similar cases have been featured in the media and on this blog.






In response to the outcome of the case the HFEA changed its forms that couples are asked to fill in to give their consent for their sperm or eggs to be used during IVF treatment.




These now specifically ask men if they agree to their sperm being used after they die.






The case had echoes of that of Diane Blood, who fought a long court battle to use sperm obtained from her husband, Stephen, while he was in a coma.




In that case, however, Mrs Blood had her husband's verbal consent for his sperm to be used.

No comments:

Post a Comment