Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 19 March 2008 (WA 44) and 12 January 2009(WA 96–97), whether any embryonic stem cells are known to have been derived under Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority licences from either class of entity.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised me that embryonic stem cell lines have been derived from human embryos as a result of HFEA licensed research. However, the HFEA does not hold a record of the method used in the derivation of each stem cell line. In respect of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, the HFEA's inspection reports of the research centres holding licences indicate that no embryonic stem cell lines have yet been derived under HFEA licensed projects.