Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Monday, 27 September 2010.

Embryology

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 6 April (WA 393) and by Earl Howe on 19 July (WA 164), whether the creation of embryos in vitro and the storage of licensed material under Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority research licence R0152 includes the use of donor nuclei from children with a serious mitochondrial disease.

Answer: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that how donated sperm fulfils the principal purposes of research licence R0152 would be a matter for the authority’s research licence committee. The outcome of its deliberations can be found in the minutes published on the HFEA’s website at: http://guide.hfea.gov.uk/guide/InspectionReport. aspx?Code=17&s=1&&nav=2 A copy has also been placed in the Library. The HFEA has also advised that the creation of embryos in vitro and the storage of licensed material under research licence R0152 do not include the use of donor nuclei from children with a serious mitochondrial disease.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1730; 720 c407WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2010-1623
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Deposited papers
House of Lords; Embryology
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 19 July 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Thursday 29 July and Monday 2 August 2010.
Subjects: Children Licensing Human embryo experiments Donors Hereditary diseases Newcastle Fertility Centre
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk