Annual report 2009/10 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

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Section 1
Introduction
Horizon scanning is an early-warning system which
allows the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority (HFEA) to consider the legal, ethical, social
and regulatory implications of any techniques that
researchers or clinicians may wish to use in the
future. By identifying developments early, we can
think ahead about the licensing of new techniques,
or have guidance in place to ensure that new
treatments are carried out safely and appropriately.
We can also ensure that patients and the wider
public are suitably informed.
Identifying new research
Through our horizon scanning process, the HFEA
Executive discovers relevant research throughout the
year by reviewing journals and attending conferences.
They then highlight and investigate common themes
and seek views from experts, such as members of
the HFEA’s Horizon Scanning Panel, a panel of
international experts with a range of research
interests. The next step is to prioritise the different
techniques and decide whether we need to carry
out more work on them.
This report summarises work carried out in 2009 as
well as setting out issues that have been identified
for this year’s work plan.
Licensable activities
In some cases the issues described in this report
involve licensable activities. If centres wish to carry
out licensable activities they would need to inform
the Authority or apply for a licence. In some cases,
further consultation will be carried out. A licence
committee of the Authority considers the details
of each individual application before the technique
can be used.
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Scientific Horizon Scanning at the HFEA