§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when there will be an announcement on the membership of the new Human Genetics Advisory Commission; and if he will make a statement. [7383]
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§ Mr. Ian TaylorI am delighted to announce that the following have agreed to serve on this important new group.
Sir Colin Campbell (Chairman) Vice Chancellor, University of Nottingham Professor Cairns Aitken Chairman, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust Dr. Micheala Aldred Director, Retinoblastoma Society Professor Martin Bobrow Professor of Medical Genetics, Cambridge University Mrs. Doris Littlejohn President, Central Office of Industrial Tribunals, Scotland Dr. Onora O'Neill Chairman, Nuffield Council on Bioethics Reverend Dr. John Polkinhorne Chairman, Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing Dr. George Posts Chairman, Research and Development, SmithKline Beecham Ms Moria Stuart Newsreader, British Broadcasting Corporation The chairman of the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee will also be a member. The current acting chairman is Professor Norman Nevin of the Department of Medical Genetics, Belfast City health and social service trust.
The advisory commission will be considering the broad social, ethical and/or economic consequences of developments in human genetics, for example, in relation to public health, insurance, patents and employment. They will also advise on ways to build public confidence in the new science. The group has been asked to give early consideration to how it can make itself open to wider public views.
Human genetics is developing rapidly. It offers major opportunities for improving the quality of life and for wealth creation, but also raises sensitive and complex issues which need to be addressed. The advisory commission will be able to approach these matters from a broad perspective, reporting direct to Industry and Health Ministers and supported by a secretariat based in the Office of Science and Technology. The first meeting will be held as soon as possible in the new year.