---

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]

Is the hon. Gentleman convinced that substituting the words ““severely impairs their quality of life”” would tighten the provision that currently refers only to ““seriously””? In other circumstances—I am not suggesting that this would apply in circumstances such as these—we know of conditions that seriously impair the quality of life. Myalgic encephalopathy is an example. However, other serious conditions that perhaps carry a risk of sudden death are otherwise asymptomatic and do not impair the quality of life. Is the hon. Gentleman really tightening up the provision, or simply creating more flexibility?