Council of Europe (Human Genetics) (Hansard, 17 April 1985)

§ Mr. Rifkind

The ad hoc committee on ethical and legal problems relating to human genetics was set up by the Council of Europe and held its first meeting in December 1983. Its purpose as defined in its present terms of reference is to study the consequences, from the ethical, legal, social and biosafety aspects, of the use of techniques deriving from developments in human genetics, molecular genetics, cell biology and embryology, with a view of harmonising the policies of the member states as far as possible, and if desirable, to frame appropriate legal198W instruments. The main emphasis of the work is on the sharing of national experience and the identification of legal and ethical issues on which harmonisation of procedures in member states of the Council of Europe might be desirable. The United Kingdom experts are chosen according to the agenda of each meeting of the ad hoc committee. Mr. B. P. Ager, Health and Safety Executive attended the first meeting; Dr. K. Gibson, Medical Research Council, the second; Dr. J. S. Metters of the Department of Health and Social Security, previously joint secretary of the Warnock committee of inquiry into human fertilization and embryology, and Dr. E. Moutrie also of the Department of Health and Social Security represented the United Kingdom at the third and most recent meeting of the Committee.

The cost of one representative to each meeting is met from the Council of Europe budget. The cost of the second representative (where necessary) is met by the sponsoring Department—currently the Department of Health and Social Security. The cost of attendance at a four-day meeting is approximately £400.