Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007.

Embryology

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:How many diagnostic and research licences for the creation of pure hybrids up to the two-cell stage have been permitted since 1990 under Section 4(1)(c) and paragraph 1(1)(f) of Schedule 2 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; when these licences were issued; how many clinics requested such licences; how many clinics were granted such licences; what animals were used; how many such hybrids have been created; and when the last such licences for both categories were granted.

Answer: Information held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is available electronically from 1998 onwards on licences granted. Information on licences issued between 1990 and 1998 can be supplied only at disproportionate cost, as can information on unsuccessful applications. Since 1998 there have been a total of 64 diagnostic and research licences issued for the hamster egg penetration test. Fifty-two of these were for treatment and storage, and 12 were for research. Licences have been issued to 13 centres, and the last licences were issued on 7 March 2001 for treatment and storage and 25 May 2001 for research. No information is held on how many hamster egg penetration tests have been carried out under the licences issued.

Secondary information