Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

The Genetic Interest Group has been following the progress of this Bill closely

Now, we really want the Bill to be approved: this is why we ask member organizations,

individuals, friends of the "cause", to write to their MP.

The HFE Bill has the potential to seriously affect the pace and progress of biomedical

research within the United Kingdom.

Patient benefit and the alleviation of human suffering

is our ultimate aim, this is why we strongly support this legislation.

@CALL FOR ACTION!@

Please contact your MP and ask them

to vote in favour of the HFE Bill

www.writetothem.com  

Some information on the Bill

The Bill is an update to the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which set the foundations for the research fostering environment we currently have in the UK for fertility research and research into embryonic stem cells. There are a number of issues that will be debated in the House of Commons that the Genetic Interest Group is concerned about:

Human Admixed Embryos
You may have heard these referred to as: Cytoplasmic Hybrid Embryos, Cybrids, Interspecies Embryos, or Human-Animal Hybrids. These are human embryos that are not derived from normal sperm and egg fertilisation, and instead are created using an animal cell free from animal DNA. They are desirably solely to increase research productivity and further our knowledge about their potential and the potential of embryonic stem cells.

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
Potential parents can opt to conceive a child using IVF if they know their child will be at risk of a genetic condition. They can then use PGD to test embryos before they are implanted into the mother to ensure they are free of the genetic condition.

Saviour Siblings
This technology is for families with a child with a serious blood related condition such as Aplastic Anaemia or Beta Thalassaemia. When no donors match the affected child, parents can choose to tissue match (using PGD technology) their next child to ensure their compatibility for a life-saving umbilical cord blood transfusion.

GIG Publications

GIG briefing on the HFE Bill

GIG and AMRC joint letter to MPs 19th March 2008
GIG and the Association of Medical Research Charities wrote a joint letter to MPs expressing our support for the Bill as it stood after its reading in the House of Lords. We enclosed a briefing paper on the subject of Human Admixed Embryos. The letter was co-signed by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, and Parkinson's Disease Society.

Letter to Lord Darzi 25th January 2008
GIG wrote a letter to health minister Lord Darzi regarding consent for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in children and non-competent adults. The letter was co-signed by Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, and Professor Andrew Copp, Director, UCL Institute of Child Health. The letter was read in the House of Lords by Lord Darzi.

Publications from organisations outside of GIG

Department of Health briefing on Saviour Siblings