§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will place a copy of the research carried out for the Department on the law and practice in other countries on in vitro fertilisation, embryo research, abortion and the use of foetal tissue in research and treatment in the Library.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI have today arranged for a copy of this research report to he placed in the Library. It was commissioned by the Department of Health in recognition of the need for up-to-date, accurate information on these subjects. In particular, the introduction of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill has focused attention on the approach taken in other countries to the questions raised by the Bill. The study was undertaken by Dr. Jennifer Gunning, until recently secretary of the Interim Licensing Authority.
The report is a survey of the legislation and current practice in a number of countries. It does not attempt to analyse the merits of any particular approach and no conclusions are drawn. It will be of value to hon. Members here in the debates on the subject.