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 Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 January (WA 196–7) and 3 June (WA 87–8), if inspection reports of research centres licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) indicate that no embryonic stem cell lines have been derived from cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, and if the HFEA monitors both the use of embryos in research and the culture of their cells as part of its research inspection process, why an inspection report does not indicate whether a stem cell line has been derived using a method for which stem cell derivation is the stated aim when the method entails culture of outgrowing embryos beyond 14 days.

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; 4184
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Embryology
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Tuesday, 20 January 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 Stem cells
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk