Human Reproduction Bill 2001

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The Human Reproduction Bill 2001 would make it a criminal offence to create a human embryo without fertilisation, including by cloning an unfertilised egg using genetic material from another cell. It would also prohibit creating embryos through assisted reproduction unless the treatment is intended to result in a child being born, meaning embryos could not be created solely for research. These offences could carry up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. The Bill would not regulate ordinary IVF, sperm donation, surrogacy or genetic research generally; it would set limits for any future regulatory system.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to prohibit the bringing into being of a human embryo otherwise than by a process of fertilisation, intended to lead to childbirth

Last updated 8 September 2022