Clause 12
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
5:45 pm
Evan Harris (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills; Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I seek your advice, Mr. Gale. I think that the last two important questions raised by the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness, were clause stand part-type questions, because the deletion of the exception for non-medical fertility services is already in clause 12. We are debating, initially, additional amendments to that. Will you let me know shortly whether you wish me to deal with my questions around non-medical fertility services?
The hon. Member for Boston and Skegness has raised an important issue. I am aware that we cannot really reopen the question of licences for therapy at this stage, but, as he said, the issue involves stem cells intended for non-reproductive therapeutic applications to humans. My question for the Minister is simple. Would that cover non-research applications to humans, or would that always cover research applications for the lifetime of the Bill? If it includes non-research applications, then further questions are raised about whether the Government are right to be confident that any applications of stem cells derived from embryos created under a licence could be created under a licence for research, because there will always be research involved in the process? We cannot reopen that discussion here, and I am not proposing to, but it would be helpful for the Minister to clarify her view. Would those non-reproductive therapeutic applications to humans apply to non-research applications? Does her definition of research apply to clinical trials? That is one understanding—research carried out under a research ethics committee approval, with a clear protocol. Or is research to be read more widely—some would say much more widely?
I will make two more points. It is important, looking at the 1990 Act as amended, that the safeguards apply here. The safeguards referred to include the transfer of money and information and maintaining proper records. The clause is important, therefore, because those are the general conditions of licences.
My second question I cannot remember. I might seek to intervene on the Minister, if it occurs to me.