Government launches public consultation on egg freezing laws

There has been increasing pressure for the law regarding storage periods for egg (as well as sperm and embryo) freezing periods to be extended, with many saying that the rules have a particularly unfair impact on women who choose to freeze their eggs.

For women who are freezing their eggs for so-called ‘social reasons’, eggs can only be stored for a maximum of 10 years. If they haven’t used their eggs within this period, their clinic must destroy them. The only exception is where eggs have been stored for ‘medical reasons’, where someone can demonstrate that they are or are likely to become prematurely infertile. In these cases, the limit can be extended every 10 years for a maximum of 55 years.

Campaigners have been arguing that this limit is outdated and unnecessary, and puts pressure on women to start a family within a strict time frame or face losing their best chance of conceiving their own biological child.

The Progress Educational Trust launched its #ExtendTheLimit campaign last year, calling for an extension to the current 10 year limit, with its online petition quickly gathering support. However, the petition was paused following the announcement of the General Election.

The Government has now launched a public consultation, exploring whether the current law should be updated.

If you would like to have your say, click here. The consultation closes on 5 May 2020.

If you would like to speak to our expert Fertility Solicitors, please email us at fertility@ellisjones.co.uk or call us on 01202 525333.