Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 April 2001. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Thursday, 5 April 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if tissue banks will be permitted to include foetal tissues and immature gametes. - Inc ref to 'Polkinghorne Code of Practice on the Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material in Research and Treatment'.

Answer: Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if tissue banks will be permitted to include foetal tissues and immature gametes. [146115] Yvette Cooper: With the explicit consent of the donor to its subsequent use, it is permissible to take and store any human tissue. Banks storing foetal tissues and immature gametes intended for therapeutic use are included in the scope of the Code of Practice for Banks Providing Tissues of Human Origin for Therapeutic Purposes which has been developed by the Department of Health in consultation with the Royal Colleges and relevant professional bodies. National Health Service hospitals and independent sector places, approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, for the termination of pregnancy, may supply foetal tissue for research purposes. Premises supplying foetal tissue for research purposes are expected to comply with the "Polkinghorne Code of Practice on the Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material in Research and Treatment".

Secondary information