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 resolution of the European Parliament (Official Journal C034, 2/2/1998. p0164) on embryonic research and therapeutic cloning.

Answer: Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the resolution of the European Parliament (Official Journal C034, 2/2/1998. p0164) on embryonic research and therapeutic cloning. [139146] Yvette Cooper: We agree with the aim of this Resolution to the extent that human reproductive cloning should be prohibited. This is entirely in accordance with the stated view of the United Kingdom Government. However, we announced in August our intention to bring forward Regulations to extend the purposes for which embryos may be used in research to include research into human diseases and their treatments. This would include embryos created by cell nuclear replacement (therapeutic cloning). Resolutions of the European Parliament have no legal status. We are aware that the European Union has no competence to legislate specifically on embryo research and that strong and deeply divided views are held on this issue in Europe.

Secondary information