On 5 December, the House of Lords debated the report published earlier this year by its Select Committee on Stem Cell Research. This Committee was established when Regulations permitting the use of embryonic stem cells for research on stem cell therapy were passed by parliament. The establishment of the Committee was a response to the assertion by some MPs and peers that there had been insufficient examination of the ethical and scientific issues. The Committee’s conclusion was that embryonic stem cell research should be permitted, subject to regulation by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The Government, in its response to the Committee’s report, accepted almost all of its recommendations.
The deep divisions of opinion on this subject were again aired in the Lords’ latest debate. There was also criticism that the Committee was composed only of people who either supported the Regulations or were undecided, and that no members had been chosen from among those peers who voted against embryo research. In addition, the credentials of the HFEA to regulate research adequately were questioned, in view of recent criticism of its activities. Questions were also raised about the commercial benefits to be derived from stem cell lines, and the issues raised by patenting. Nevertheless, several peers spoke robustly in favour of the report, drawing attention to its broad evidence base and the advantages of the UK’s regulatory approach to this issue. In his remarks on behalf of the Government, Lord Hunt outlined the Government’s commitment to strengthening and supporting the HFEA, and pointed out the benefits of the establishment of the publicly owned National Stem Cell Bank, which should gradually reduce the need for further use of embryos. The Lords voted to accept the Committee’s report.