Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Triesman on 12 December 2007 (WA 58), how the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority have considered Dr Thomas Okarma's finding that the medical potential of reprogrammed stem cells has been exaggerated, as reported in The Times on 17 February; whether it would be possible to have patient-specific cells for treatment; and what the implications are for the original aims of research licence R0152.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that its Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) most recently considered research involving the derivation of embryonic or "embryonic like" stem cells on 8 September 2009. The SCAAC papers are available on the HFEA's website at www.hfea.gov.uk/1127.html. With regard to the protocols followed by the HFEA's Research Licence Committee, the authority has also advised that it has nothing to add to the information in my Written Answer of 9 November 2009 (Official Report, col. WA 110-111). The information sought regarding Research Licence Committee decisions is available on the HFEA's website at www.hfea.gov.uk/180.html.