IVF experts to sign code of practice after scandals

Scientists in IVF and other fertility treatments are to be asked to sign a code of conduct demonstrating their commitment to professional standards. The Association of Clinical Embryologists (Ace) will introduce the requirement for members to sign its code because of recent high-profile scandals.

The case of black twins born to a white mother and the conviction of a rogue embryologist, Paul Fielding, last month have raised the question of how to prevent similar incidents.

Sue Avery, chairwoman of the association, which is holding its annual conference in Glasgow, said procedures needed to be tightened. Embryologists were clinical scientists, not doctors, and required their own code of professional conduct. "The idea is to make the membership aware what standards of conduct we expect and on what grounds we would expel them from the association. When the Paul Fielding case happened we realised we had no mechanism to expel him although we wanted to.

"We have always had a code but we are saying members have got to sign up to it. Some employers make membership a condition of employment."

Fielding was found guilty of deceiving patients by claiming to have inserted embryos into their wombs when he had not. His conviction at Southampton Crown Court for assault and false accounting shocked the profession.

The jury was told Fielding abused his patients' trust as part of a deception to clear his debts, being paid £50 for each embryo "transfer". He is to be sentenced a week tomorrow.