title: [The French Biomedicine Agency and medically assisted reproduction].
abstract: The French Biomedicine Agency was created in May 2005 by the August 2004 revision of the Bioethics Law. The Agency replaced the French Transplant Establishment, itself created by the first bioethics law in 1994. The Biomedicine Agency took over responsibility for organ, tissue and cell harvest and transplantation, but its remit now also covers medically assisted reproduction, antenatal diagnosis, human genetics, and embryo research, which it is required to "monitor, evaluate and control ". More generally, the Biomedicine Agency contributes to establishing regulations and to improving the quality and safety of healthcare practices and patient management. It is also responsible for promoting transparency in these fields, by preparing and distributing data on medically assisted reproduction and its results, and by keeping the public informed Finally, the Agency licenses and inspects healthcare professionals working in the fields of medically assisted reproduction, antenatal diagnosis and genetics. The Agency has bolstered its internal and external expertise in these new areas by calling on healthcare professionals and their scientific societies. It has thus created several task forces of healthcare professionals, who contribute their experience and their knowledge of day-to-day issues, with the aim of improving both regulations and practices. Finally, in order to constitute a solid framework for its development, the Agency has signed a performance contract with the ministry of health. This contract, covering the period 2007 to 2010, precisely defines the Agency's strategic objectives and actions, indicators for follow-up, and assessments of the means the Agency needs to carry out its missions. The Biomedicine Agency also actively seeks input from patients and user associations, especially with respect to the information it provides to the public.
authors.affiliation: Agence de la biomédecine, Saint-Denis La Plaine.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Camby
mesh_terms: D005602:France; D006077:Government Agencies; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000592:standards*