§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What publicly appointed bodies in the United Kingdom are currently examining issues of bioethics; how they have been appointed, when and by whom; by whom they are funded and serviced; and to whom they report. [HL8]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)Bioethical issues may arise from a wide range of contexts, including developments affecting man, animals, agriculture and the environment. Such issues may therefore be considered by any publicly appointed body in those fields when considering matters within the terms of reference of the body. Details of the main publicly appointed bodies whose terms of reference may include the examination of ethical issues are listed as follows.
The Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing was established in 1996 by United Kingdom health Ministers, to whom it reports. It is funded by UK health departments and serviced by the Department of Health.
The Gene Therapy Advisory Committee was established in 1993 by UK health Ministers, to whom it reports. It is funded by UK health departments and serviced by the Department of Health.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was established in 1991 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Members are appointed by UK health Ministers. The authority, and the executive which services it, is funded by the UK health departments; the authority reports to UK health Ministers.
The Human Genetics Advisory Commission was established in 1996 by UK health and industry Ministers, to whom it reports. It is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health and serviced by a joint secretariat from those departments.
24WAThe UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority was established in 1997 by UK health Ministers, to whom it reports; it is funded by the UK health departments and serviced by the Department of Health.
In England, local research ethics committees established pursuant to guidance from the Department of Health in 1991 advise National Health Service bodies within their district. They are funded and serviced by district health authorities, to whom they report. Comparable arrangements exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In England, multi-centre research ethics committees were established pursuant to Department of Health guidance in 1997. They are funded and serviced by the regional offices of the Department of Health and report to the Secretary of State for Health. Comparable arrangements exist in Scotland and Wales.
The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes was originally established in 1981 and was reconstituted in 1988 by UK Health and Agriculture Ministers, to whom it reports. It is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and serviced jointly by the department and the Department of Health.
The Farm Animal Welfare Council was established in 1979 by Great Britain Agriculture Ministers, to whom it reports. It is funded and serviced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Animal (Scientific Procedures) Committee was established by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Members are appointed by, and report to, the Home Secretary. It is funded and serviced by the Home Office.