Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 11 February (WA 100), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has ever been able to define the term “pronucleus”; if so, when the HFEA clarified whether pronuclei are themselves nuclei of a particular kind or not, and what was the source of that definition; and if not, how the HFEA advises on public policy on the matter in the absence of a definition.[HL5734]
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that it has defined the term “pronuclei” in its recent work on mitochondria replacement. A technical definition can be found in the glossary of the Scientific Report on the authority's website at: www.hfea.gov.uk by searching “mitochondria review final report”.
A more expansive definition for a lay audience can be found in the glossary on the authority's mitochondria replacement consultation website at: http://mitochondria. hfea.gov.uk and by looking under “further information” and “glossary”.