Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 16 December 2010 (WA 210–11) and her answers on 19 January (Official Report, col. 359–61), whether previous and ongoing reviews of stem cell research undertaken by the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are considered insufficient to properly assess regenerative medicine and the science that will deliver it; and whether a reputable body will be commissioned to undertake a scientific review of the whole field.
Answer
The Government have no plans to commission a scientific review of stem cell research and regenerative medicine from one of the academies or learned societies. However, the Government are considering their developments in regenerative medicine and may revisit this question once this process is completed towards the end of 2011. I am advised that the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology will advise their Lordships' House on developments in stem cell research and their application during 2011. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee is a subcommittee providing advice to the authority. It does not advise Government on regenerative medicine issues.