§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the advisory committee on genetic manipulation will be consulted on any proposal to put genetically manipulated material into embryos.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the genetic manipulation of human embryos. While the terms of reference of the advisory committee on genetic manipulation do not specifically exlude consideration of such questions if so asked, the social, legal and ethical issues relating to the use of human embryos in research, are currently under consideration by the Warnock inquiry into human fertilisation and embryology.