The Council on Human Reproductive Technology today launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology & Embryo Research.

The major proposed revision relates to lifting legal restrictions on the storage period for gametes or embryos for a patient’s own use, irrespective of gender, age, or medical conditions.

The council is also seeking to update operational measures in the code to ensure that the public is fully aware of associated medical risks before engaging in unnecessary and prolonged storage of gametes or embryos without medical reasons.

Furthermore, the amended code will require licensed centres to provide patients with information on matters such as the risks of egg-retrieval procedures, the rapid decline in fertility or pregnancy rates as women age, the risks of advanced maternal age, and the social impacts of delayed childbearing. Patients must also sign a consent form to acknowledge receipt of such information.

Additionally, after storing gametes or embryos for a certain period, licensed centres will be required to provide counselling tailored to patients’ individual circumstances. The storage of their gametes or embryos may only be extended with patients’ written consent.

The amended code will also require licensed centres to provide additional statistical data for regulatory purposes.

The consultation will close on April 13. Members of the public may submit their comments by email, or by post to the council secretariat.

Currently, gametes or embryos for patients’ own use can be stored for at most 10 years. For patients who may be rendered infertile as a result of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery or other medical treatments, the maximum storage period for embryos is 10 years, and that for gametes is 10 years or until the patient reaches 55 years of age, whichever is longer.