§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the controls on the importation of embryonic stem cells; and what estimate he has made of the number of such cells imported in the past year. [90624]
§ Ms JowellResearch involving the removal of cells such as stem cells from human embryos is subject to strict control under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Such research would require a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The importation of human embryos is also subject to the provisions of the Act.
The provisions of the 1990 Act do not extend to established cell cultures of embryonic origin. Such cell lines, including embryonic stem cells may be imported and used without requiring a licence from the HFEA.