§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government policy on limits to genetic manipulation in human biotechnology research. [24676]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 22 January 1998]: Human biotechnology research promises many benefits but can also raise questions of safety and ethics, as can other new technologies. The Government have in place a thorough system of controls to maintain human biotechnology research, including that involving genetic modification, within acceptable boundaries. A framework of expert committees, such as the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, the UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority, and the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC), consider implications of new research.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 places strict limits on research involving human embryos, including the requirement for such research to be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
59WThe Government are also interested in wider views on such issues. For example, a consultation paper on the implications of human cloning is to be launched jointly by the HGAC and the HFEA at the end of this month, and the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry announced in November that he would be seeking views from the public on issues arising from developments in the biosciences.