The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and Assessment for parenthood: in whose best interests

Abstract

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act provides for the assessment of adults for parenthood on both medical and social grounds. Its justification for doing so is the welfare of any child who may be born #opSection 13#cp. This paper is concerned with these assessments and with the wider implications they may hold for all workers in the child welfare field. It offers comparisons with assessment in adoption and analyses both the basis in the legislation for the assessment of parenthood and the likely future utility of any decisions in respect of those, born or unborn, on whose behalf they are taken.

Key Words:

• Human fertilisation
• Embryology Act 1990