Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 November 2010.

Embryology

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 6 April (WA 406) and by Earl Howe on 19 July (WA 162), what is the evidence that deriving insulin-producing pancreatic cells from embryonic stem cells that are a genetic match for a patient with type 1 diabetes could improve treatment of such an autoimmune disease; and how the steps that would need to be taken to counteract the autoimmune response have been detailed in (a) any related applications for research submitted to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), and (b) peer-reviewed published research.

Answer: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that the steps to be taken to counteract the autoimmune response have not been detailed in any relevant research application submitted to the HFEA. The steps needed to counteract the autoimmune response would not have been required in order to satisfy the HFEA licence committee that the statutory criteria were met. Information on peer-reviewed research is not collected centrally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3890; 722 c297WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Health: Diabetes
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 20 December 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 19 July 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Diabetes Human embryo experiments Medical treatments Stem cells
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk