Implementation of the bioethics law: Agence de la biomédecine organizes the 1st meeting of the monitoring committee
Published on 22 November 2021
Following the promulgation of the law of August 2, 2021 on bioethics, the application of which was accompanied by significant credits specifically allocated, the Minister of Solidarity and Health asked the Agence de la biomédecine to set up and lead a national committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the law, in the field of medically assisted procreation (MAP). The first meeting was held on November 15.
At a time when the new law is bringing about major changes in the field of MPA, the aim of the monitoring committee is to bring together all stakeholders* to monitor developments and listen to the concerns of the field. This first session brought together representatives of learned societies, gamete donation centers and patient associations, as well as representatives of the relevant administrations, to take stock of the first few weeks of implementation of the new law.
On this occasion, the Agence de la biomédecine presented the initial results of a survey of sperm donation centers.
Significant increase in requests for coverage since the law was enacted on August 2, 2021
The law of August 2, 2021 on bioethics opens up MPA to female couples and unmarried women. To assess the number of requests for MPA with sperm donation submitted by these new audiences, the Agence de la biomédecine conducted a survey of the 29 sperm donation centers. 25 of them responded. The information provided shows that the number of requests for MPA with sperm donation has risen sharply since August 1:
- From August 1 to October 15, 2021, 2,753 requests for first consultations were recorded at donation centers with a view to MPA with sperm donation, including 1,171 from female couples and 1,316 from unmarried women. Over the same period, 934 first consultations were carried out with a view to MPA with sperm donation, including 352 for female couples and 313 for unmarried women.
- 3,003 straws were delivered between January and June 2021. As of August 1, 2021, sperm donation centers had a total stock of 87,926 attributable sperm straws.
- As of October 15, 359 sperm donors had made a donation, while 317 men had done so during 2019.
Initial feedback
As part of its survey, Agence de la biomédecine has collected the candid testimonies of professionals working in sperm donation centers, as well as those of patient associations involved in donor-assisted MPA programs.
To date, the main concern expressed by donation center professionals is the recruitment of staff to meet new demands. Patients' associations, for their part, have raised questions about the age limits set for access to MPA, as well as changes in waiting times.
"The three key measures of the new bioethics law in the field of MAP have been eagerly awaited, and it is therefore essential that the text takes effect as quickly as possible. These measures will come into force in stages, and the national monitoring committee will need to adapt as these developments take place, to ensure that it is always in a position to address the concerns of healthcare professionals and patients. The committee will gather data through regular surveys carried out by the Agence de la biomédecine, as well as first-hand accounts of how the new law on MAP is being applied. The new bioethics law introduces major changes in the field of MAP, which necessarily place the healthcare system under strain. This tension represents a challenge for us all, and the committee must do its utmost to ensure that they are overcome under the best possible conditions", explains Emmanuelle Cortot-Boucher, Director General of the Agence de la biomédecine.
The next meeting, scheduled for February 14, 2022, will focus on the implementation of the French Bioethics Act. The Agence de la biomédecine will be conducting a number of surveys in addition to the Ministry's direct messages to establishments:
- A survey of sperm donation centers to assess the evolution of requests (first requests, first consultations, first attempts, etc.),
- A similar survey of clinicians at clinico-biological centers,
- A survey on gamete self-preservation to identify requests made.
Press contacts: Agence TBWACorporate Violaine Bourquin - violaine.bourquin@tbwa-corporate.com - 06 07 46 34 89 Blanche Bobin Parra - blanche.bobin-parra@tbwa-corporate.com - 06 48 40 75 16
Agence de la biomédecine Hélène Duguet - presse@biomedecine.fr - 06 16 35 91 80
*Stakeholders present at the November 15 follow-up committee meeting:
- Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé - Direction Générale de la Santé
- Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé - Direction Générale de l'Offre de Soins
- Agence technique de l'information sur l'hospitalisation (Technical Agency for Hospital Information)
- Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie
- Regional Health Agency
- National Center for Care Abroad (CNSE)
- Study Group on In Vitro Fertilization in France (GEFF)
- National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of France (CNGOF)
- National Federation of Medical Gynecology Colleges (FNCGM)
- Fédération nationale des biologistes des laboratoires d'étude de la fécondation et de la conservation de l'œuf (BLEFCO - national federation of fertilization and egg preservation laboratory biologists)
- Collective of French private AMP centers
- National Federation of Centers for the Study and Conservation of Human Eggs and Sperm (CECOS)
- Gamete donation centers
- Association COLLECTIF BAMP!
- Association Mam'ensolo
- Les Enfants d'Arc en Ciel - l'asso !
- Interassociative lesbian, gay, bi and trans (Inter-LGBT)
- Association don d'ovocytes, spermatozoïdes un espoir
- Association of gay and lesbian parents and future parents - APGL
- Association Afrique Avenir