Clause 12
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
5:30 pm
Mark Simmonds (Shadow Minister, Health; Boston and Skegness, Conservative)
I am grateful to the Minister for introducing this batch of amendments. I have one or two queries. I understand the logic of what she said, but there is no mention anywhere else in the Bill of therapeutic applications for humans. Indeed, on the Floor of the House I and the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon tabled separate amendments and new clauses to allow licence for therapies to take place, but they were rejected by the Minister.
It would be helpful if the Minister were to explain the wording used in the letter that she kindly sent Committee members. How does the phrase
“intended for non-reproductive therapeutic application for humans”
fit in with her view that she will not allow licences for therapies in the Bill? That letter then refers to
“Directives on safety and quality of cells and tissues for human applications”
and “the relevant requirements”. What are the relevant requirements to which the Minister refers? The letter refers euphemistically to “these safeguards”. Will the Minister explain what they are?
After the debates in the other place, I initially thought that the application of the EU directive did not apply to non-medical fertility services. However, the Minister has confirmed today that it does apply to them. Will she clarify that matter? Does it also cover the provision of gametes for such purposes for both non-medical fertility services and non-reproductive therapeutic applications?