What is Clause 14 anyway?

Clause 14(4)(9) is a part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which is going through Parliament at the moment. If it is agreed to, it may become law.

We are worried that it will be ignored because it is only a small part of the Bill, which is pages and pages long. However, it could have a serious affect on Deaf and disabled people and their families.

Clause 14(4)(9) says that people who have inherited conditions (a disability [including deafness], an illness or a serious medical condition) are not allowed to become egg or sperm donors.

Clause 14(4)(9) could also be a problem for people who are having IVF, or other treatment to help them to get pregnant.

People do not have to be tested to find out if they have “something wrong” with their embryos, though doctors often put pressure on Deaf and disabled people and their families to be tested. If they are tested and find out that they might have a deaf or disabled baby, they are not allowed to go ahead and choose a deaf or disabled embryo.

They must only choose “healthy” embryos, to make sure their babies are not born disabled or deaf.

More in-depth information in BSL here: