Clause 15
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Mark Simmonds (Shadow Minister, Health; Boston and Skegness, Conservative)
Amendment No. 34 is a consequential amendment to amendment No. 5, so I shall concentrate on the latter. It is, I acknowledge, a further probing amendment, which relates to how long gametes and embryos can be kept in storage. At the moment, embryos can be kept for five years, and then for five years beyond that, if the couple chooses. Will the Minister put on record what evidence exists that embryos and gametes are of sufficient quality after and up to 10 years? For how long afterwards does she believe that embryos can be kept in storage without deteriorating, if there is indeed evidence to support that?
Is the Minister concerned that removing the five-year break will result in fewer couples giving their embryos for research as they will not necessarily be reminded of the possibility after the five years? As the 1990 Act lasted for 18 years, I think that the general view in the Committee is that we wish this Bill, after it becomes an Act, to last similarly long. Is it possible to change the time period under regulation if future techniques allow longer storage?
I think that a recent case forms the basis of an amendment that has been tabled by the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon. A young girl, because of treatment she has received, will not be able to have children later on in life. However, she is of such a young age that even if her mother donates an egg for her now, after the 10-year period has elapsed, she will still not be old enough to have a child. Regulations might allow that situation to be changed as scientific techniques develop and, again, it could be amended by new clause 2, which was tabled by the hon. Gentleman.