Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 March 2011.

Embryology

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 28 February (WA 218–19) and 8 March (WA 389), whetherinformation referred to or contained in records held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority provides a complete record of all information considered by the authority as potentially relevant to its decision-making process; and, if so, whether concerns regarding the culture of embryos beyond 14 days in relation to cloning proposals were not considered.

Answer: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that decisions made by HFEA licence committees are, on each occasion, made in accordance with the procedure and applying the criteria prescribed in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended. This includes an understanding of the law governing the period of time for which it is lawful to keep human embryos. As I advised the noble Lord in my Written Answer of 24 January 2011 (Official Report, cols. WA 96-97), the HFEA has confirmed that it makes decisions in the light of the best scientific evidence available at the time. Agreed records of the decisions made by the HFEA and its committees are contained in the minutes of relevant meetings, which are routinely published on the authority’s website at: www.hfea.gov.uk.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7696; 726 c142-3WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Embryology
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 28 February 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Embryology
Monday, 24 January 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Clones Diabetes Licensing Human embryo experiments Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk