§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many patients with Parkinson's disease were treated by the late Professor Edward Hitchcock of the Midlands Centre for neurosurgery and neurology, Birmingham, by transplanting foetal tissue into the brain. [HL1481]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)Professor Hitchcock performed 55 brain tissue transplant procedures on patients with Parkinson's disease whilst at the Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology prior to its amalgamation into the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust early in 1996.
§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the origin of the foetal tissue used in experimental operations on Parkinson's disease by Professor Edward Hitchcock; and whether the biological parents of the foetus were made aware of its use. [HL1482]
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§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe foetal tissue used in experimental operations on Parkinson's disease by Professor Hitchcock was obtained from aborted foetuses. Consent was obtained from the biological mothers.
§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessement has been made of the efficacy of the use of foetal tissue or stem cell tissue transplantation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease or Huntington's chorea; and at what hospitals or institutes this technique has so far been practised; and [HL1483]
What evidence there is that the use of embryonic stem cell tissue may be more efficacious in the treatment of Parkinson's disease than the transplant of foetal tissue. [HL1486]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Chief Medical Officer's Report,Stem cell research: Medical progress with responsibility, published last year, considered the potential of embryonic stem cells as a source of new tissues for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Such research is at a very early stage and it may be several years before therapeutic benefits are available.
The Government are not aware of any hospital or institute currently involved in research using embryonic stem cell tissue in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease in the United Kingdom.