HC Deb 20 November 2000 vol 357 cc49-51W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what ethical considerations the Government will take into account in deciding its policy on embryonic stem cell research; and if he will make a statement. [138668]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 16 November 2000]: All research on human embryos is strictly regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. This Act was introduced following detailed consideration by the Warnock Committee in the early 1980s of the issues raised by developing technologies in this area. The provisions in the Act were subject to considerable debate in both Houses.

Following the recommendations in the Chief Medical Officer's expert group report: "Stem Cell Research: Medical Progress with Responsibility", the Government announced their intention to introduce regulations to extend the purposes for which human embryos may be used in research. These Regulations will be decided on a free vote. The expert group included members with a wide range of interests, including ethics.

We also took account of the joint Report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and Human Genetics Advisory Commission: "Cloning Issues in Reproduction, Science and Medicine" (December 1998) and reports from other bodies such as the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, as well as views in Europe and elsewhere.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the clinical data recording errors contained in the HFEA February 2000 update. [138671]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 16 November 2000]: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority operates a systems and data audit programme. This is used to monitor the standard of IVF and donor insemination treatment records and provide assurances for the National Audit Office regarding the collection of licence fee income. The HFEA audit is in the fourth year of its five-year programme and has identified areas where errors could be avoided by licensed clinics. It has also provided information and guidance to clinics on improvements in the quality of their information.

The authority's February 2000 Update reports a number of discrepancies found as part of the audit, such as inaccurate reporting of patients' and partners' full name, patient reference and treatment date.

The audit programme and publication of the Update series demonstrates the FIFEA's commitment to reducing errors and improving the way that information is recorded.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the granting of a licence by the HFEA in 1996 to the Centre for Genome Research, University of Edinburgh for the culture of multipotential human embryos. [138672]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 16 November 2000]: In February 1996 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority issued a two-year research licence for a project entitled "Culture of Multipotential Human Embryo Cells" at the Centre for Genome Research, University of Edinburgh. The objective of the proposed research was to establish cell lines from human embryos with a view to analysing the factors that affect the development of embryos fertilised and grown "in vitro" and to assess their development potential. An application was made for renewal in February 1998 and a licence was granted in May 1998 for a further two years.

The objectives of this research are (i) to promote advances in the treatment of infertility; (ii) to increase knowledge about the causes of congenital disease; and (iii) to develop methods for detecting the presence of gene or chromosome abnormalities in embryos before implantation.

The centre is required to provide reports on the progress of the research and is subject to inspection by the authority.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on(a) the use of adult stem cells and (b) therapeutic cloning. [138670]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 16 November 2000]: The issues of stem cell research and therapeutic cloning were comprehensively discussed in the report of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group—"Stem Cell research: Medical progress with responsibility" published in August of this year, copies of which are available in the Library.

The report concluded that research on stem cells from all sources provides the possibility of exciting prospects for future therapies for a range of debilitating diseases including Parkinson's, Diabetes, spinal injuries and liver disease. However a great deal of research will be needed to realise such potential.

We have accepted the recommendations of the report and will introduce Regulations to extend the permitted research purposes under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to allow for research on embryonic stem cells. The Regulations will be decided by a free vote. Research involving adult stem cells is not subject to legal restrictions.