Changes to the law governing fertility treatment were passed in Parliament this week which affect couples undergoing shared motherhood, or reciprocal IVF, and people who have undetectable HIV.
The changes mean same-sex couples who have opted for shared motherhood (reciprocal IVF), where a woman uses an egg donated by her partner, will now just have the screening used for partners rather than having to go through the type of screening used for other donors, which can take time and be costly.
It also changes the legal situation for people who want to donate to a friend or family member but who have undetectable HIV. This doesn’t apply to those donating more generally, and the donors will be tested to ensure they have undetectable HIV, but they can now donate to a friend or family member.
The change in the law is very welcome and will come into force in November.