§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the average number of human embryos destroyed as a result of the use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to select a genetic match for ultimate use as an organ, bone marrow, cells or tissue donor upon the subsequent live birth of the designed baby. [HL3069]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathIn the course of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment it is likely that more embryos will be created than the maximum of two which are allowed to be transferred to a woman at any one time. With the specific consent of the people who provided the gametes, embryos that are not initally transferred may be stored for future use by the patient, donated to another couple, donated for research or allowed to perish.
139WAPre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos may be used in conjuction with IVF. The use of the PGD technique in itself should not involve the destruction of any embryos. However, it is possible that as a result of PGD fewer embryos will be found to be suitable for transfer.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has decided in principle to allow PGD for serious genetic disease to be used in conjunction with tissue typing, considering each case on an individual basis. To date only one licence has been granted.