Infertility treatment and the welfare of the child

The UK was one of the first jurisdictions to introduce comprehensive legislation regulating fertility treatment. Since the issues and practices regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act were - and remain - contentious, it is hardly surprising that the Act itself has been controversial.

Section 13(5) of the Act is no exception. This prevents a woman from receiving treatment from a UK fertility clinic 'unless account has been taken of the welfare of any child who may be born as a result of the treatment (including the need of that child for a father) and of any other child who may be affected by the birth'.