HL Deb 04 May 1970 vol 310 cc3-4

2.39 p.m.

THE EARL OF ARRAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage the study of human genetics in adult education and in schools; and whether they will prepare programmes for this purpose.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, the curriculum of adult and further education institutions and schools is a matter for the responsible bodies and is one in which Her Majesty's Government do not intervene. Courses in genetics, which frequently include human genetics, do, however, already feature in the programmes of some adult education bodies, and the subject is covered in some courses in further education institutions. It is understood that the Open University foundation course in Science will include study of various aspects of genetics. In schools the study of genetics, including some attention to human genetics, is not uncommon and often features as part of secondary school examination courses.

THE EARL OF ARRAN

My Lords, while generally regretful at the reply given by the noble Baroness, may I ask whether she will agree that genetics is still an imprecise science? Children and parents can be spared much misery if preliminary tests before marriage, or at any rate before procreation, are carried out where risks exist. Does the noble Baroness realise that, according to the Observer, of those born with a physical or mental handicap one baby in every 100 is known to be a victim of a purely genetic effect, and that this figure amounts to 10,000 babies a year?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I will accept the noble Earl's comments in relation to the number of children born. I think he would agree with me however that it would be unfortunate if one were to cause upset and despondency among expectant mothers when there was no danger of their having a child which was subject to one of these diseases. A great deal of counselling is going on already, as the noble Earl will be glad to know. I have here a small booklet which was directed by the Department of Health to family doctors and which shows the counselling centres where this subject is already dealt with. It is widespread over the whole country.