Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:Which department or organisation should investigate the apparent discrepancies in numbers of eggs used for research that were brought to the attention of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on 18 September 2006, given that a letter from the head of research regulation (dated August 2007) states that the HFEA ““cannot give a definitive explanation”” and also given that the HFEA has yet to describe steps that had already been taken in following a peer reviewer's recommendation to monitor the number of embryos used at the centre concerned.
Answer
We do not believe that any investigation, of the type indicated in the noble Lord's Question, is required. We are satisfied that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is discharging its duties effectively with regard to the regulation of the use of human eggs donated for research purposes, where the research requires a licence from the HFEA under the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended.