New legislation now permits patients with non-transmissible HIV to donate eggs and sperm to known recipients and simplifies fertility treatments for some same-sex couples. Health Minister Maria Caulfield announced these changes during a parliamentary debate in October 2023. Previously, only HIV-positive men in heterosexual relationships could provide sperm for their partners, while HIV-positive women and those needing surrogacy were excluded from donating eggs or gametes to friends or family.

Caulfield stated, "We have changed the law to ensure equality for people living with HIV when accessing IVF, allowing them to donate their eggs and sperm. Additionally, female same-sex couples can now access IVF without extra screening costs, similar to heterosexual couples." This change is being implemented through a statutory instrument, which modifies existing laws without requiring a new Act of Parliament. The instrument was prepared with input from the Advisory Committee for the Safety of Blood Tissues & Organs.

Same-sex female couples seeking shared motherhood or reciprocal IVF will no longer need to undergo the extensive tests required for egg donors. HIV-positive donors must have an undetectable viral load, have undergone antiretroviral treatment for at least six months, and the recipient must be aware of the donor's HIV status, ensuring donations are only to known recipients.

The National AIDS Trust and the Progress Educational Trust have long campaigned for this change. Deborah Gold, CEO of the National AIDS Trust, celebrated the end of this discriminatory law as a victory for HIV and LGBT+ rights. The British Fertility Society and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority also welcomed the change. Dr. Ephia Yasmin of the BFS emphasized the importance of removing barriers to treatment, while Julia Chain of the HFEA noted that clinics might start offering this treatment within three months of the law change.

Read the full article - https://www.progress.org.uk/new-fertility-treatment-options-for-people-with-hiv-and-same-sex-couples/