Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Thornton (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 December 2009.

Embryology

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 9 November (WA 112), how a researcher could take reasonable steps to contact the person who originally provided cells to a tissue bank if there is no requirement on the part of any tissue bank to use contact information at their disposal for that purpose.

Answer: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that its Research Licence Committee considers on a case-by-case basis each application for a research licence for a project proposing to use human cells in the creation of embryos without explicit consent. In all cases, the committee would expect the applicant to demonstrate that it had taken all reasonable steps to contact the cell provider.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18; 715 c20WA
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Embryology
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 9 November 2009
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Disclosure of information Human embryo experiments Donors Research
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk