Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 13 October 2008 (WA 35), by Lord Drayson on 5 May 2009 (WA 95–6), by Earl Howe on 31 March 2011 (WA 298–9) and by Lord Prior of Brampton on 3 March (HL6226), whether it is still a condition of any licence granted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that a sample of the stem cell lines derived must be deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank; if so, whether a sample of any stem cell lines derived following either nuclear transfer or pronuclear transfer have ever been so deposited; and if not, why the HFEA has continued to permit the use of nuclear transfer under licence R0152 when the stated objectives of "therapeutic cloning" remain unmet almost twelve years after the relevant licence was initially granted.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it is a condition of all research licences that a sample of the cell line is deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB), in accordance with Research Licence Condition R30. Stem cells are not accepted by UKSCB until they are fully characterised and cultured to ensure uniform characteristics.

As detailed in the HFEA’s May 2014 inspection report for research project R0152, Towards improving assisted reproductive technologies for the treatment of infertility and prevention of disease, the HFEA has also advised that a number of research grade embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines have been generated through that research and in line with the licence. These have been deposited at the UKSCB. One ESC line in compliance with the current standards for clinical grade ESC lines has also been produced; this is currently undergoing a due diligence process in preparation for depositing with the UKSCB. A copy of the report is attached.