Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]

Let me try to explain the Government's thinking on clause 11 and schedule 2, and on the issues that have been raised. The Bill sets out five purposes for which embryos can be tested, and a regulation-making power to amend them. One of the purposes is the creation of so-called saviour siblings. As we have observed this evening, that is an issue that provokes very strong feelings in people on both sides of the discussion. Some feel that the creation of a tissue-matched sibling is entirely appropriate to treat an affected child when it is the only treatment option, and that not to allow it would essentially impose a life sentence on the child. Others feel that, despite that, saviour siblings should not be permitted. Some parents with an affected child whose only treatment option—perhaps because the child has an unusual tissue type—relies on the creation of a tissue-matched sibling would feel very strongly that the Bill's proposals offer a practical solution. Having a child to satisfy a particular need, in this case the treatment of a sick sibling, is not uncommon. As the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) pointed out so eloquently on Second Reading, no one has a child solely for the child's own purposes. It is often done to satisfy the needs of parents to be parents, or the need for a brother or sister for an existing child. Let us consider a family who are in that position. The parents love the existing child so much, and are so motivated to do whatever they can to protect that child, that they are willing to undertake embryo testing. Embryo testing is an invasive and expensive procedure, and such motivated parents are highly unlikely to be anything other than loving and supportive to any child born into their family.