Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 22 July 2008 (WA 244–45) and 5 May 2009 (WA 96), why St Mary's Manchester and Roslin Cells Limitedwere not included among the centres for which inspection reports are publicly available that provide details on the culture of outgrowing embryos.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has informed me that it monitors the use of embryos in research as part of its inspection process. A licence condition requires centres to ensure that a sample of all stem cell lines, from embryos that are developed or used in the course of the research project, must be deposited in a stem cell bank in accordance with any relevant bank guidelines. This is why the culture of these cells is something that may be reflected in inspection reports. My Answers of 22 July 2008 (WA 244-45) and 5 May 2009 (WA 96) referred only to the latest inspection reports published on the HFEA’s website. The HFEA has informed me that the report of the inspection at St Mary’s Hospital, dated 26 September 2007, was not included because the derivation of stem cells did not take place on these premises. Embryos were transferred to Roslin Cells Limited where the derivation of stem cell lines took place.