Fonds GB 1538 RCOG/C12 - Joint Medical Research Council and RCOG Voluntary Licensing Authority for Human in Vitro Fertilisation and Embryology

Identity area

Reference code

GB 1538 RCOG/C12

Title

Joint Medical Research Council and RCOG Voluntary Licensing Authority for Human in Vitro Fertilisation and Embryology

Date(s)

  • 1985-1986 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

2 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The birth of the world's first baby conceived using in vitro fertilisation (IVF), in July 1978, and advances in fertilisation and embryology led to the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry in 1982. Chaired by Baroness Warnock, it was established 'against [a] background of public excitement and concern' about human fertilisation and embryology". The Committee reported in 1984 (the Warnock Report). It recommended the establishment of a new statutory licensing authority to regulate both research and infertility services. In March 1985 the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) founded the Voluntary Licensing Authority for Human in vitro Fertilisation and Embryology (VLA) as an interim measure to regulate work on human in vitro fertilisation until the introduction of government legislation. The authority was given two functions: to grant licences to those wishing to offer infertility treatment; and to grant licences to researchers wishing to work with human gametes (sperm and eggs) and embryos. Applications for licences, accompanied by specific research proposals, were made to the authority by centres involved in such work. A visit was normally then made to the centre by members of the authority, which then made a decision on whether to grant a licence. The Authority was based at the Medical Research Council premises in Park Crescent, London. In 1987, following a period of consultation, the Government published a White Paper, Human Fertilisation and Embryology: A Framework for Legislation. The legislation which subsequently came into being was the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (the HFE Act).

Archival history

The College Secretary had administrative responsibility for overseas councils and committees until the Vice President (Overseas Officer) assumed responsibility in the early 1980s.

GB 1538 RCOG/C12 1985-1986 fonds 2 boxes Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

The birth of the world's first baby conceived using in vitro fertilisation (IVF), in July 1978, and advances in fertilisation and embryology led to the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry in 1982. Chaired by Baroness Warnock, it was established 'against [a] background of public excitement and concern' about human fertilisation and embryology". The Committee reported in 1984 (the Warnock Report). It recommended the establishment of a new statutory licensing authority to regulate both research and infertility services. In March 1985 the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) founded the Voluntary Licensing Authority for Human in vitro Fertilisation and Embryology (VLA) as an interim measure to regulate work on human in vitro fertilisation until the introduction of government legislation. The authority was given two functions: to grant licences to those wishing to offer infertility treatment; and to grant licences to researchers wishing to work with human gametes (sperm and eggs) and embryos. Applications for licences, accompanied by specific research proposals, were made to the authority by centres involved in such work. A visit was normally then made to the centre by members of the authority, which then made a decision on whether to grant a licence. The Authority was based at the Medical Research Council premises in Park Crescent, London. In 1987, following a period of consultation, the Government published a White Paper, Human Fertilisation and Embryology: A Framework for Legislation. The legislation which subsequently came into being was the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (the HFE Act).

The College Secretary had administrative responsibility for overseas councils and committees until the Vice President (Overseas Officer) assumed responsibility in the early 1980s.

Probably compiled by the RCOG's representative on the committee.

Papers of the Joint Medical Research Council and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Voluntary Licensing Authority (VLA) for Human In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Embryology, 1985-1986, comprising: minutes and correspondence; completed applications from individual centres and research projects seeking licences (with supporting documentation); copies of reports of visits made by the Licensing Authority to IVF centres.

In 1999 a Disposal Agreement (DA/5) was made between the Administration Department and the College Archives to destroy unsuccessful applications.

No further accruals are expected.

As set out above in Scope and Content.

Open, although restrictions apply for items containing personal information.

English

RCOG/B3/2 have been indexed and the names of successful candidates will be found in the Index to the Guide to the College Archives.

Microfilm copies of the minute books are at MR/7 (volume I), MR/8 (volume II) and MR/9 (volume III).

Imported from the RCOG catalogue and edited by Sarah Drewery.

General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.

Import: Oct 2008; edit: Feb 2009. Medical equipment Medical technology Reproductive technology In vitro fertilization Physiology Physiological development Embryology Scientific equipment Equipment Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Probably compiled by the RCOG's representative on the committee.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of the Joint Medical Research Council and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Voluntary Licensing Authority (VLA) for Human In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Embryology, 1985-1986, comprising: minutes and correspondence; completed applications from individual centres and research projects seeking licences (with supporting documentation); copies of reports of visits made by the Licensing Authority to IVF centres.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

In 1999 a Disposal Agreement (DA/5) was made between the Administration Department and the College Archives to destroy unsuccessful applications.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

System of arrangement

As set out above in Scope and Content.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open, although restrictions apply for items containing personal information.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

RCOG/B3/2 have been indexed and the names of successful candidates will be found in the Index to the Guide to the College Archives.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Microfilm copies of the minute books are at MR/7 (volume I), MR/8 (volume II) and MR/9 (volume III).

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Rules and/or conventions used

General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area