Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 23 June (WA 182–3 and 184), why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has not permitted embryos or gametes provided by patients for a particular research project to be used in separate research; how the HFEA ensures that does not take place when it is not required to hold information about the use of eggs in research; and whether they propose any legislation on the matter.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that there is nothing to add to my Written Answer of 23 June 2010 (Official Report, col. WA 182-3). The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, requires the HFEA to be satisfied that the proposed research project is necessary or desirable for the purposes specified in the Act, that the use of embryos is necessary and that consent for the purposes of research has been obtained. No legislation is proposed on this matter. The HFEA has advised that it holds no information regarding what was reported in the Independent. The authority has also advised that it continues to hold the data referred to in the noble Lord's Question.