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Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [HL]

In my next life I am going to be a scientist. Paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the Bill amends paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act which lists what a licence may authorise in the course of providing treatment services. The Bill introduces an additional purpose for which embryos can be used under a treatment licence; that is, in the training of embryologists. The Bill specifies that this use in training is limited to techniques associated with the testing of embryos. When embryo testing is carried out, a single cell or two cells are removed from embryos at the eight-cell stage. These cells are then tested and the embryo continues to develop. It is, of course, essential that embryologists should be able to practise the micromanipulation technique used in this process. Further provisions in the Bill also ensure that embryos can be used for this purpose only where proper consent has been obtained from the people whose gametes were used to create the embryo and where the proposed use of embryos is necessary for that purpose. In practice, it is unlikely that a large number of embryos will be used in this way because only those embryos that are not suitable for treatment or storage will be used for this purpose. However, it is important that people should be able, if they so wish, to donate to the training of embryologists in order to benefit future patients those embryos that they do not require for their own treatment. We are aware of other embryological techniques for which embryologists may wish to use embryos to practise. For example, there is vitrification, which is a technique for storage that requires a very precise process, as explained by the noble Baroness. Additionally, new techniques may be developed in the future that it would be beneficial for embryologists to practise. Training is of the utmost importance. To ensure that embryologists may be trained in techniques other than those associated with embryo testing, and for the sake of future-proofing the legislation in the event of techniques of which we are not yet aware, we were minded to consider the amendment further. However, clearly in doing so we must take into account the concerns that have been passionately expressed today by my noble friend Lord Winston and the noble Lord, Lord Alton. We will consider the amendment further, taking into account the strong views that they have expressed. In response to the noble Lord, Lord Alton, on long-term research, the HFEA has a scientific and clinical advances group that monitors research, including safety studies in storage. I trust that the noble Baroness will feel able to withdraw the amendment.