Clause 3
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman spoke for half an hour. If he will allow me to conclude my points, I will be happy for him to come back in.
It also seems to me that when this House considers the science, particularly in this area, we need to be able to satisfy ourselves where that science may take us, what issues will be raised and whether or not we feel able to come to decisions on this subject. His hon. Friend the Member for Southport talked about a blank cheque. I entirely reject that notion. Research is at an early stage, and we are not clear where it is taking us. We have not had a full debate about what is possible or discussion of the ethical issues involved. The Government are not saying no to the idea, but we are saying that further consideration needs to be given and proper consultation carried out. Now is not the time, and a regulating power is not the way forward.
That is why, when the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon and others raised it before, the Government declined to take the route that they suggested. It is not the right way to proceed with legislation to say afterwards that we will answer all the questions once we have given a regulating power that we may or may not switch on. In the previous discussions, we clearly flagged up what the regulations would need to address—for instance, for mitochondrial donation, and those debates are already going on. It is on that basis that I would decline such an amendment to the Bill if it were before us—it is not. I hope that the clause will stand part of the Bill.