Consultation - Archive - Use of Frozen Eggs in Fertility Treatment: Discussion document

Consultation

Consultation on the Use of Frozen Eggs in Fertility Treatment: Discussion document
The closing date for submissions is 5 September 2008.

Human assisted reproductive technologies are advancing rapidly. These technologies offer many potential benefits to infertile couples, but there are also uncertainties and risks. The Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) has been established to formulate policy advice specific to New Zealand in relation to this controversial field.

The collection and freezing of eggs was declared to be an established procedure in New Zealand in 2005. This means that eggs can be collected and frozen routinely in fertility clinics without requiring case-by-case approval by the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ECART).

When ACART was established, the then Minister of Health, Hon Annette King, asked, among other things, for advice on the use of frozen eggs in fertility treatment. Before ACART advises the Minister of Health, it is required to consult on the proposed advice.

ACART proposes that the use of frozen eggs in fertility treatment become an established procedure. The reasons for this are set out in the following pages of this discussion document.

Please take the time to consider the questions included in this document. We would welcome your comments on these, or any other aspect of the document. Although ACART has set out its proposed advice to the Minister, it is open to changing its views. Your comments will help ACART to finalise its recommendations to the Minister on the use of frozen eggs in fertility treatment.

Document availability
The discussion document, including how to make a submission, is available in PDF and Word formats below

Consultation on the Use of Frozen Eggs in Fertility Treatment: Discussion document (PDF, 394 KB)

Consultation on the Use of Frozen Eggs in Fertility Treatment: Discussion document (Word, 844 KB)

ACART welcomes your views. The closing date for submissions is 5 September 2008.