HC Deb 07 May 1985 vol 78 cc313-4W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of research involving the use of human embryos at the Medical Research Council experimental embryology and teratology unit, the Medical Research Council reproductive biology unit and the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, university of Cambridge, stating, in each case, when such research began, what are the terms of reference or guidelines for such research, what is the cost and from what source the embryos are obtained.

Mr. Brooke

I understand from the Medical Research Council that the following research involving the use of embryos in vitro is being carried out:—

MRC Experimental Embryology and Teratology Unit:

Low temperature preservation of embryos. Nutrition and biochemistry of post-implantation embryos. Factors affecting in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer in the human. This work began in April 1984 using embryos derived from a clinic at the Cromwell hospital, London. Expenditure figures are not yet available.

MRC Reproductive Biology Unit:

Neuroendocrine studies of ovulation and luteal function, with reference to infertility and embryo transfer. Development of in vitro methods to improve the fertility of human eggs and spermatozoa, in the context of in vitro fertilisation and artificial insemination.

Chromosome analysis of human spermatozoa and cleavage-stage human embryos to explore the incidence, nature and origins of chromosomal abnormalities. This work began in April 1984 using embryos from a clinic at the Edinburgh royal infirmary. Expenditure figures are not yet available.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cambridge:

Basic and clinical research on pre-implantation development. This research is funded by means of an MRC programme grant awarded in 1983 at a cost of £277,182 over five years. The embryos used in the programme are made available by a clinic at Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge.

All MRC research programmes in this field are conducted within the Council's published guidelines "Research related to human fertilisation and embryology". The MRC requires that all such research has local scientific and ethical committee approval.