§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos have been made available for artistic research in the last 30 years; what legal authority is required; if the embryos used in the project "Unnatural Selection" at the Barbican centre were obtained under a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and if he will make a statement. [28456]
§ Mr. HoramThe Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1980 exists to regulate the creation and use of embryos for treatment and research purposes. Its licensing function came into operation on 1 August 1991. 133W The Barbican exhibition is the only event of its kind of which the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is aware.
I understand that the embryos in question were, prior to the photographs being taken, donated by couples after their treatment cycles. I also understand that the couples involved had given their consent to photographs being taken and for the use of the photographs in the exhibition.