Clause 24
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
3:30 pm
Mark Simmonds (Shadow Minister, Health; Boston and Skegness, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 6, in clause 24, page 20, line 10, at end insert—
‘(5) A relevant individual can also be an individual who has reached the age of 18 whose genetic parent was a relevant individual under subsection (4) but did not themselves consult the register and is themselves deceased.’.
There are many circumstances in which a child of a donor-conceived person would like to know their genetic background, and it is now widely accepted that knowing that background is beneficial. A person’s sense of identity is tied up with where they came from, and an increasing number of diseases and illnesses are found to have some basis in our genes, so knowing one’s genetic background is beneficial.
Some people choose not to consult the register, and we should all respect their decision. We would not allow anyone to consult the register if a living donor-conceived person has themselves chosen not to. However, in a specific case where a donor-conceived person has died, their children might like to know their genetic background. The amendment would allow for that person to consult the register only in the case where the donor-conceived person has died.
In the other place, the matter was discussed extensively and the Minister in the other place promised to consider that particular issue further. That is why I tabled the amendment—to try to understand where the Government have got to in their thought process with regard to that point. I accept that it is a complex issue, and indeed I see why the Government, after due consideration of the reading of the Bill in the other place, have decided not to make an appropriate amendment in this area.