Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 4 November (WA 59–60) regarding the extension of the research project entitled Improving the efficiency of human somatic cell nuclear transfer, whether the Medical Research Council (MRC) acts in accordance withthe remarks by Lord Darzi of Denham on 29 October 2008 at col 1615 that it "would be a significant obstacle to research" if "scarce human eggs would be used over animal eggs"; and, if so, how the MRC has financially supported research with human-admixed embryos undertaken by Stephen Minger.
Answer
The Medical Research Council acts in full accordance with the legislative principles regarding human somatic cell nuclear transfer referred to by my noble friend, Lord Darzi of Denham, on 29 October 2008. Research excellence continues to be the primary consideration in the MRC's funding decisions. The MRC has not awarded funding to Dr Stephen Minger to undertake research involving admixed embryos.