MP calls for modernisation of fertility laws
Dame Caroline Dinenage has proposed a bill in Parliament to update the dated Human Fertility and Embryology Act 1990.
The bill, titled the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Regulation) Bill, aims to bring online fertility services and digital concierge providers under regulatory supervision.
This move comes after the sudden closure of Apricity Fertility, an online fertility hub, just before Christmas, leaving hundreds of patients stranded in their treatments.
READ MORE: Life-saving baby care service celebrates ten years of support
Dame Caroline said in the Commons: "This is a classic case of regulation just not keeping pace with modern life.
"It is criminal that organisations that are in the business of making dreams come true can just disappear, along with people's money and their hopes of starting a family."
She also urged ministers to support the bill to protect families.
The bill is backed by 11 MPs from various political parties and is set for a second reading on September 12.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Imported dogs could carry disease or behaviour risk, RSPCA warns
An animal charity has called for stricter regulations on animal rescues importing dogs into the UK, citing concerns about disease risks and behavioural issues Government statistics reveal that in 2023, 320,000 pets were brought into the UK under travel pet schemes and 44,000 entered as commercial imports. RSPCA spokesman David Bowles likened the process to 'Deliveroo for dogs' and called on the Government to tighten regulations on animal rescues. He told the BBC: 'The RSPCA's major concern is these dogs are essentially ticking time bombs – coming over, not being health tested. 'Diseases are now coming in through these dogs. They're affecting not just the dogs that are being imported, they could also affect the dogs already in this country and their owners. 'They've almost set up a Deliveroo for dogs and that is a real problem.' There is no requirement for rescue organisations to be licensed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It comes weeks after a bill that aims to stop animal smuggling and cruelty cleared the Commons with cross-party support. Legislation put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers will reduce the number of animals for non-commercial entry into the UK, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and introduce a halt on the import of dogs and cats who have been 'mutilated', including having their ears docked. The MP for Winchester's Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill was supported by the Government, and will now proceed to the House of Lords on its passage to becoming law. Dr Chambers said: 'As a vet, I've seen the devastating consequences of puppy smuggling. It's unimaginably cruel to separate puppies and kittens from their mothers at a very young age, and then bring them across borders in substandard conditions where they're then sold for maximum profit by unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare.' He added: 'Careful consideration has been given to setting these limits, balancing the need to disrupt illegal trade with minimising impact on genuine pet owners. To underpin this, only an owner, not an authorised person, will be permitted to sign and declare that the movement of a dog or cat is non-commercial. He criticised the influence of social media on the increased demand for dogs with docked ears, and a party colleague hit out at the platforms' role in publishing animal abuse. He said: 'One reason that there is such an interest in dogs with cropped ears is that a lot of influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms pose with these dogs or show they have these new dogs with cropped ears. Many people aren't aware that this is a mutilation. 'They think it's how the dogs' ears normally look, and it drives a demand for dogs that look like this.'
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pharmacies warn of unsustainable demand for weight loss medication
The booming demand for weight loss jabs may be unsustainable, pharmacists warn. Many more patients are interested in using weight loss medication than are actually suitable for treatment, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents more than 6,000 independent community pharmacies. Some 21% of people who were interviewed in a NPA-commissioned poll agreed they had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the last year, either online or in person at a pharmacy, rising to 35% of 16 to 34-year-olds. This is compared to only 7% of those over 55. There were also 41% who agreed they would opt for weight loss treatments on the NHS if they were made available to them. This figure rose to 64% among 25 to 34-year-olds, despite many of these patients being unlikely to be clinically eligible. The NPA says the poll, in which 2,002 people were interviewed, reflects an increasing demand for private and NHS weight loss services. NPA chairman Olivier Picard said: 'Weight loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century, but growing demand for weight loss treatment highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate for those who want it. 'It's clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment. 'We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from weight loss medication.' Spiralling demand, fuelled partly by social media, could see people being tempted to resort to unregulated online suppliers instead of regulated pharmacies staffed by medical professionals, they fear. Online suppliers may not be offering weight loss jabs alongside a structured programme aimed at helping them change their behaviour. Wegovy and Mounjaro are among a number of drugs that are recommended to help tackle obesity on the NHS. Mounjaro and Wegovy are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in patients with a BMI of over 30 or between 27 and 30 but with a weight-related co-morbidity. This occurs when an individual who has obesity develops another medical condition due to their weight. The NHS currently rolls out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities, the NPA says. The NPA is calling for new regulations to protect patients buying weight loss medication online, so there is a full two-way consultation and all relevant historical medical records are reviewed before the treatment is prescribed. They are waiting for more details about the role pharmacies could play in the rollout of the NHS weight management programme. At least 85% of weight loss medication prescriptions were made by pharmacies in April this year, the NPA estimates. Mr Picard said: 'Pharmacists are experts in medication and many have extensive experience delivering weight loss injections as part of a package of care, including lifestyle advice. 'Pharmacies are well placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS, and help people make the best use of these powerful medicines.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
UK makes strong war pledge to Australia, Virgin Australia plane in tarmac collision, state cops 'wettest day of year'
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Monday. The UK's Defence Secretary John Healey says the UK is "ready to fight" alongside Australia if war was to break out in the Indo-Pacific. Healey was pressed on whether British forces would step in if China attempted to forcibly reunite Taiwan with the mainland, and offered a telling insight on the UK's position despite Canberra's reluctance to commit to possible conflict. A Virgin Australia plane has been damaged in a collision on the tarmac at Melbourne Airport. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. UK's big war call on visit to Australia The UK's defence secretary has suggested Australia will join the UK in conflict if China attempts to forcibly reunite Taiwan with the mainland. Pressed on what the UK would do to help Taiwan in such a scenario, Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would go to war if needs be. 'If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the UK are nations that will fight together. We exercise together and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together," he said on Sunday alongside Defence Minister Richard Marles in Darwin. It was a statement of clear intent from Healey and one the Albanese government has avoided making in relation to Taiwan. Marles did not express any intent from Australia to go to war in the region and once again reiterated Labor's position that Australia respects the current status quo. It comes after the Trump administration ramped up pressure on allies to make their positions clear if a war was to develop in the Indo-Pacific. Virgin Australia plane damaged in airport collision A Virgin Australia aeroplane has collided with a vehicle during a ground transfer at a major Melbourne airport. The Virgin Australia Boeing 737 was being towed to the hangar for maintenance at Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine on Sunday night. During the tow, the aircraft became disconnected from the tug vehicle, causing the two to collide. The tug hit the side of the plane, causing a large tear in the side of the aircraft. Crews were on the scene attempting to patch the impacted aircraft. 'The aircraft was being towed to the maintenance hangar, so there were no passengers on board,' a Melbourne Airport spokesman told NewsWire. 'An investigation is under way, and the relevant authorities have been notified.' A Virgin spokesman confirmed the collision would not impact the airline's flight schedule for Monday. - NewsWire Fears popular phone could catch fire An urgent update has been pushed to a range of Google phones due to the risk they could overheat and even cause fires. Product Safety Australia (PSA) said incidents involving Google Pixel 6a devices have resulted in 'serious burn injuries'. A mandatory update has been pushed to a number of phones to reduce the risk, and devices only need to be updated rather than returned. Owners of a Chalk, Sage or Charcoal coloured Pixel 6a device sold between June 16, 2022 and April 10, 2025 is likely to observe the fault, which PSA said can 'pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user'. Read more here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The UK's defence secretary has suggested Australia will join the UK in conflict if China attempts to forcibly reunite Taiwan with the mainland. Pressed on what the UK would do to help Taiwan in such a scenario, Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would go to war if needs be. 'If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the UK are nations that will fight together. We exercise together and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together," he said on Sunday alongside Defence Minister Richard Marles in Darwin. It was a statement of clear intent from Healey and one the Albanese government has avoided making in relation to Taiwan. Marles did not express any intent from Australia to go to war in the region and once again reiterated Labor's position that Australia respects the current status quo. It comes after the Trump administration ramped up pressure on allies to make their positions clear if a war was to develop in the Indo-Pacific. Virgin Australia plane damaged in airport collision A Virgin Australia aeroplane has collided with a vehicle during a ground transfer at a major Melbourne airport. The Virgin Australia Boeing 737 was being towed to the hangar for maintenance at Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine on Sunday night. During the tow, the aircraft became disconnected from the tug vehicle, causing the two to collide. The tug hit the side of the plane, causing a large tear in the side of the aircraft. Crews were on the scene attempting to patch the impacted aircraft. 'The aircraft was being towed to the maintenance hangar, so there were no passengers on board,' a Melbourne Airport spokesman told NewsWire. 'An investigation is under way, and the relevant authorities have been notified.' A Virgin spokesman confirmed the collision would not impact the airline's flight schedule for Monday. - NewsWire A Virgin Australia aeroplane has collided with a vehicle during a ground transfer at a major Melbourne airport. The Virgin Australia Boeing 737 was being towed to the hangar for maintenance at Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine on Sunday night. During the tow, the aircraft became disconnected from the tug vehicle, causing the two to collide. The tug hit the side of the plane, causing a large tear in the side of the aircraft. Crews were on the scene attempting to patch the impacted aircraft. 'The aircraft was being towed to the maintenance hangar, so there were no passengers on board,' a Melbourne Airport spokesman told NewsWire. 'An investigation is under way, and the relevant authorities have been notified.' A Virgin spokesman confirmed the collision would not impact the airline's flight schedule for Monday. - NewsWire Fears popular phone could catch fire An urgent update has been pushed to a range of Google phones due to the risk they could overheat and even cause fires. Product Safety Australia (PSA) said incidents involving Google Pixel 6a devices have resulted in 'serious burn injuries'. A mandatory update has been pushed to a number of phones to reduce the risk, and devices only need to be updated rather than returned. Owners of a Chalk, Sage or Charcoal coloured Pixel 6a device sold between June 16, 2022 and April 10, 2025 is likely to observe the fault, which PSA said can 'pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user'. Read more here. An urgent update has been pushed to a range of Google phones due to the risk they could overheat and even cause fires. Product Safety Australia (PSA) said incidents involving Google Pixel 6a devices have resulted in 'serious burn injuries'. A mandatory update has been pushed to a number of phones to reduce the risk, and devices only need to be updated rather than returned. Owners of a Chalk, Sage or Charcoal coloured Pixel 6a device sold between June 16, 2022 and April 10, 2025 is likely to observe the fault, which PSA said can 'pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user'. Read more here.
