HomeProject SummariesReport on the Consultation on the review of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990

Report on the Consultation on the review of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990

Introduction

The Department of Health launched a public consultation on 16 August 2005 as part of its review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The consultation closed on 25 November. People Science & Policy Ltd (PSP) was commissioned in December 2005 to conduct an analysis of the responses.

Our report summarises the landscape of arguments put forward in response to the consultation document. Responses to the consultation were many and varied; in total there were 535 responses.

Methodology

We collated the responses received electronically (408) into a single database and used Atlas-ti to qualitatively analyse the consultation responses using the “Grounded Theory” technique. The purpose was to attempt to crystallise the key streams of argument around a particular subject and to characterise those arguments into themes which then form an overall landscape of the debate around a subject. The non-electronic responses (127) were analysed using a more traditional approach. Each was read and key arguments highlighted.

The report

No conclusions were reached as it was believed more appropriate to give an overview of the landscape of arguments rather than attempt to draw conclusions from such disparate responses.

Hard copies are available via the Department of Health by emailing: review-hfe-act@dh.gsi.gov.uk

The full report can be downloaded as a PDF.