Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Thursday, 18 June 2009.

Embryology

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 20 April 2009 (WA 329) and by Lord Darzi of Denham on 24 June 2008 (WA 227) and 3 June 2009 (WA 87–8), how the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority determines a centre's compliance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 in relation to embryo culture when the method used for embryo culture is not described.

Answer: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that at all inspections, the authority's inspectors are required to check that there is a procedure in place to ensure that embryos are not cultured for longer than 14 days or after the appearance of the primitive streak. In respect of the culturing of embryos and stem cell derivation, the HEFA has confirmed that it has nothing further to add to the responses given to the noble Lord on 3 June 2009 (WA 87-8) and 24 June 2008 (WA 227).

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 711 c225-6WA; 4183
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Embryology
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 20 April 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Inspections Human embryo experiments Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk