Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent article in the journal Science <i>"Motherless babies!"</i><i>How to create a tabloid science headline in five easy steps</i>, what consideration the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has given to the role of the Science Media Centre in generating claims about assisted reproductive technologies; and what role members of the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Group play in trying to prevent sensationalist or alarmist headlines.

Occasionally, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) engages with the Science Media Centre to deliver press briefings. When it does so, the HFEA works with the Centre to ensure that the relevant science is carefully explained.

The terms of reference of the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee are set out in Annex A of the HFEA’s Standing Orders, a copy is attached. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the HFEA on scientific and clinical developments (including research) in assisted conception, embryo research and related areas. The Committee’s functions are to:

- make recommendations to the Authority on the safety and efficacy of scientific and clinical developments (including research) in assisted conception, embryo research and related areas;

- make recommendations to the Authority on patient information relating to those scientific and clinical developments;

- advise the Authority on significant implications for licensing and regulation arising out of such developments, and;

- where required, work with the Authority members to consider the social, ethical and legal implications arising out of such developments.

Many members of the Committee are experts in their own right and may comment on published research in their own capacity.