Written question asked by Martin Smyth (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 15 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 November 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Friday, 24 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning embryonic stem cell research and the development of adult stem cells. - Includes ref to report of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group - "Stem Cell research: Medical progress with responsibility" - published in August, copies in Library.

Answer: Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning embryonic stem cell research and the development of adult stem cells. [139145] Yvette Cooper: The issue of stem cell research was comprehensively discussed in the report of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group--"Stem Cell research: Medical progress with responsibility"--published in August of this year, copies of which are available in the Library. The report concluded that research on stem cells from all sources provides the possibility of exciting prospects for future therapies for a range of debilitating diseases including Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal injuries and liver disease. However, a great deal of research will be needed to realise such potential. It is hoped that research with embryonic stem cells will provide the information necessary for the future use of adult cells for treatment. We have accepted the recommendations of the report and will introduce Regulations to extend the permitted research purposes under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to allow for research on embryonic stem cells.

Secondary information