Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 10 February (WA 176) and 23 March (WA 93), whether the 14-day limit applies to all human embryos created in vitro except those that have been cultured for more than 14 days; and, if not, why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority applies different criteria when classifying various entities resulting from nuclear transfer as embryos in comparison with outgrowing embryos.
Answer
No licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority permits centres to culture live human embryos beyond 14 days or the appearance of the primitive streak, in accordance with Sections 3(3)(a) and 3(4) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.