§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they hold concerning the import into the United Kingdom of human embryonic stem cells, particularly from the United States; and what information they collect on their use; and [HL1933]
What provision will be made to regulate the import and export of human embryonic stem cells; and what penalties will be imposed for their improper use. [HL1934]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathAt present the Government have no plans to collect information on the importation and use of human embryonic stem cells.
All aspects of stem cell research are being examined currently by a Select Committee of the House of 235WA Lords, and the Government will consider its recommendations carefully when they are published.
§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
Given the circumstances which prevailed prior to January 2001 when donor consent was provided for human embryos to be used for research purposes, whether they consider that such consent will remain valid for research envisaged under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. [HL1936]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe consent provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 are unaffected by the HFE (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001, and the 1990 Act continues to apply to all embryos created by fertilisation.
Consent to the use of an embryo must specify one or more of the purposes stated in schedule 3 to the 1990 Act, one of which is "(C) use for the purposes of any project of research", and may specify conditions subject to which the embryo may be so used. Embryo donors are offered the opportunity for counselling and will receive relevant information before giving consent. Additionally an embryo donor may withdraw their consent at any time by notice, provided that the embryo has not been used.
§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
What account has been taken by the Department of Health in framing legislation determining the status of human embryos of studies in animals showing that embryonic stem cells have successfully grown into adult mice and cows. [HL1947]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health continues to keep scientific developments in stem cell research under review.
The scientific papers that were referred to in the passage of the Human Reproductive Cloning Bill through the House of Lords do not, as was claimed, report the development of adult animals from embryonic stem cells.
The research quoted involved the development of animals from existing embryos which had been artificially fused with embryonic stem cells.