Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 30 June (WA 281–2), how potential applications involving human reproduction would fulfil the original aims of research licence R0152 as pertaining to the use of stem cells.
Answer
In considering an application for a research licence, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) must be satisfied that the conditions for granting a licence, as set out in Schedule 2 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, are satisfied. Beyond that, neither the Government nor the HFEA can speculate on the potential applications of the research authorised by a licence.