Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has yet to approve the revised patient information and consent forms submitted byCentre 017 between 28 September 2009 and 14 May 2010 for the research covered by HFEA licences R0145, R0152 or R0153; or, if they were already refused, on what grounds.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that its Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee has not met to discuss the research findings reported in the Sunday Times on 13 June. In respect of patient information and consent forms for research covered by HFEA research licences R0145, R0152 and R0153, I refer the noble Lord to the minutes of the authority's Research Licence Committee on 19 May 2010, which can be found on its website, http://guide.hfea.gov.uk/guide/ShowPDF.aspx?ID=4180. A copy has been placed in the Library. The HFEA has further advised the activities authorised under research licence R0152 are: the storage of eggs, storage of embryos, the creation of embryos in vitro, storage of licensed material, use of donated embryos for research purposes and the derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines. In respect of the requirement for completion of forms related to the supply of eggs to HFEA-licensed research projects, I refer the noble Lord to my Written Answer of 23 June (Official Report, col. WA 184). The HFEA has advised that centres holding research licences authorising the creation of embryos for research are required to submit information on the number of embryos created for use in research. On occasion, this may include information about the use of eggs.