PET - Progress Educational Trust

06/06/2026

What will you be doing this weekend? Calling all young and aspiring writers
Could your writing change minds? And win you up to £750!
The Progress Educational Trust (PET) is delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 Marcus Pembrey BioNews Writing Prize, named after one of the PET founding trustees and patrons. This event has been made possible by the generous support of the London Women’s Clinic.
This year the prize aims to encourage young and aspiring writers to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!) and share their opinions on the future impact of AI on fertility treatment or genomics or stem cell research.
The competition is open to individuals aged from 18-35 (entrants must be under 36 on the closing date). We would like you to write a 1000 word comment piece on the following topic:
What do you think the impact of AI will be on fertility treatment or genomics or embryo/stem cell research? (please note no specialist AI knowledge is required)
Closing date for entries: 23:59 on 30 June 2026 (BST).
You can find all the details on our website
https://www.progress.org.uk/bionews-writing-prize/

05/06/2026

Podcast Review: ‘Big Fat Negative – Toby Trice, why balls matter’.
Dr Semyon Bodian reflects on an episode of the podcast: ‘Big Fat Negative’, which features a discussion between racing driver Toby Trice and hosts Gabby and Emma. Dr Bodian notes that the discussion focuses on infertility, delayed diagnosis, and the emotional isolation many men experience during fertility treatment. Dr Bodian particularly discusses the podcast’s hosts’ ability to put listeners at ease and as well as Toby Trice’s experience of male factor infertility, which motivated his advocacy work. Read more for free in BioNews for free: https://www.progress.org.uk/podcast-review-big-fat-negative-toby-trice-why-balls-matter/
To support PET in providing accessible information for all, you can follow, like and repost our content. Your help in sharing this information raises awareness of PET’s work. Thank you for your support.

04/06/2026

PET in the media - PET Director Sarah Norcross helps highlight the plight of women affected by infertility in south-west England.
Despite the NICE Guideline of 3 full IVF cycles (more if needed) they are only able to access one partial round of NHS-funded IVF.
Sarah was talking to Jen Smith, BBC South West health correspondent, about the devastating affect offering only one partial IVF cycle (two embryo transfers) can have on affected families. This was supported by fertility consultant Dr Sam Dobson who said, 'It takes the average couple two to three cycles of IVF usually to get pregnant...but there's always couples that don't get pregnant.'
You can read the article in full here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5p35446nro

04/06/2026

Comment: ‘Securing an ethical future for research using neural organoids’.
Professor Emily Jackson, Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics’ Neural Organoids Working Group, reflects on the key findings from the Group’s recent report entitled: ‘Neural organoids: Ethical and governance considerations’. Professor Jackson notes that the Report sets out recommendations such as the need for best practice guidance; a shared definition of sentience; consideration of animal welfare within this area of research; the need for informed consent from tissue donors; and consultation of UK public attitudes. Professor Jackson explains why there is a need for anticipatory regulation of emerging biotechnologies and challenge faced by law reform in ensuring that newly created laws do not ‘quickly become outdated or obsolete as research evolves’. As a result, the newly introduced ‘Regulating for Growth Bill’ has been welcomed by Professor Jackson and the rest of the Working Group. Read more for free in BioNews: https://www.progress.org.uk/securing-an-ethical-future-for-research-using-neural-organoids/
Want to receive PET’s free weekly BioNews newsletter? Click the link to subscribe: https://www.progress.org.uk/sign-up/ Thank you for your support!

03/06/2026

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday 9 December 2026, 9am-5pm (GMT)
AI and Automation in Fertility and Genomics: Pipeline? Or Pipe Dream?
The Progress Educational Trust (PET) Annual Conference will be taking place in central London on Wednesday 9 December 2026. Registration will open shortly for this in person only event.
Conference speakers will include the Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Chair-Elect of the British Fertility Society and the Programme Lead for the NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI.
Please save the date – 9 December – and email [email protected] to register your interest in attending. Places are limited.

02/06/2026

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday 9 December 2026, 9am-5pm (GMT)

AI and Automation in Fertility and Genomics: Pipeline? Or Pipe Dream?
The Progress Educational Trust (PET) Annual Conference will be taking place in central London on Wednesday 9 December 2026. Registration will open shortly for this in person only event.

Conference speakers will include the Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Chair-Elect of the British Fertility Society and the Programme Lead for the NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI.

Please save the date – 9 December – and email [email protected] to register your interest in attending.

02/06/2026

Calling all young and aspiring writers
Could your writing change minds? And win you up to £750!
The Progress Educational Trust (PET) is delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 Marcus Pembrey BioNews Writing Prize, named after one of the PET founding trustees and patrons. This event has been made possible by the generous support of the London Women’s Clinic.
This year the prize aims to encourage young and aspiring writers to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!) and share their opinions on the future impact of AI on fertility treatment or genomics or stem cell research.
The competition is open to individuals aged from 18-35 (entrants must be under 36 on the closing date). We would like you to write a 1000 word comment piece on the following topic:
What do you think the impact of AI will be on fertility treatment or genomics or embryo/stem cell research? (please note no specialist AI knowledge is required)
Closing date for entries: 23:59 on 30 June 2026 (BST).
You can find all the details on our website
https://www.progress.org.uk/bionews-writing-prize/

02/06/2026

Fifteen people, including five doctors, have been charged in Maharashtra, India following an investigation into the exploitation of financially vulnerable egg donors. Tarandeep Hira notes that the investigation began in February, after a woman reportedly approached a public centre claiming that she had not been paid for donating her eggs. Tarandeep discusses this investigation in more detail and the regulation of egg donation in India. Read more for free in BioNews:
https://www.progress.org.uk/fifteen-people-charged-in-connection-with-egg-donor-exploitation-in-india/
Want to receive PET’s free weekly BioNews newsletter? Click the link to subscribe: https://www.progress.org.uk/sign-up/ Thank you for your support!

01/06/2026

FILM: ‘Understanding Egg Donation – The Give and Take’.
This film documents PET’s recent event, which discussed the needs and interests of everyone involved in egg donation, including donors, recipients, donor-conceived people, fertility professionals, regulators, and policymakers. The film features: Dr Jane Stewart (Former Chair of the British Fertility Society); Professor Nicky Hudson (Professor of Medical Sociology at Loughborough University); Angela Pericleous-Smith (Chair of the British Infertility Counselling Association); Sophie Cook (donor-conceived person); Professor Mark Hanson (Emeritus Professor of Human Development and Health at University of Southampton); and was chaired by PET’s Director, Sarah Norcross. Watch now for free:https://www.progress.org.uk/film-understanding-egg-donation-the-give-and-take/
To support PET in providing accessible information for all, you can follow, like and repost our content. Your help in sharing this information raises awareness of PET’s work. Thank you for your support.

This film documents a PET event discussing the needs and interests of everyone involved in egg donation – donors, recipients, donor-conceived people, fertility professionals, regulators and policymakers...

31/05/2026

NEW: The report 'Understanding the Decline in Live Birth Rate in the UK: Barriers, Beliefs and Opportunities to Support Future Families', published by the life sciences and technology company Merck, calls for a comprehensive UK national fertility strategy.

This report was developed by leading clinicians, charities, health economists and patient advocates – including PET Director Sarah Norcross and PET Trustee Professor Richard Anderson – who participated in a Future of Fertility forum convened by Merck on 30 July 2025.

The report is free to access here:https://www.progress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/merck_birthrate.pdf