HFE Bill receives it 2nd reading in the House of Commons

Yesterday the Human Fertililisation and Embryology Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons. 
The official report of the debate in the House is available here: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/humanfertilisationandembryology.html
 

MP’s welcome patients and scientists show support for the Bill

Commenting on the public show of support for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill by patients and scientists yesterday outside parliament, Dr Evan Harris MP – one of the main backers of the legislation, said:

“We know that the public support carefully regulated medical research using embryos and also that patients, along with the main medical and [...]

British Medical Association briefing on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, 2nd reading, House of Commons

The BMA outlines its support for the provisions in the HFE Bill, which relate to assisted reproduction treatment and the use of human embryos for research purposes. The BMA also supports the current model of UK-wide regulation with the broad framework set out in legislation and a statutory body – the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) [...]

British Fertility Society expresses concern that certain clinical situations could constitute a breach of the current law relating to confidentiality

The BFS would support an amendment which allowed rules on medical confidentiality to be applied, similar to those applied in other fields of medical practice.
 
For more details see BFS Brief on Confidentiality

Leading scientists and clinicians at the North East England Stem Cell Institute support the provision for use of human admixed embryos

Leading scientists and clinicians want the Bill to protect the possibility of conducting research into serious disease. Research using human admixed embryos could help to gain a better understanding of disease. They also welcome the safeguards that have been established for this type of research. A brief background to the science given.
See here for more [...]

Scientists and clinicians at the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) call for an amendment to the HFE Bill to allow for the possibility of using in vitro derived gametes in infertility treatment

The scientists warn that leaving the Bill unamended in the Commons would exclude the possibility of using IVD gametes in treating infertility. They say that an amendment as moved in the House of Lords would allow for the possibility of treatment under a regime of continual regulatory oversight.
See here for more details NESCI Brief on [...]

Scientists advise that decisions about whether to introduce mitochondrial transplantation into treatment should be at the discretion of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

Scientists argue that decisions on the use of mitochondrial transtplantaion in clinical practice should be dealt with in the same manner as other new clinical treatments involving embryos and gametes. It should be at the discretion of the HFEA to grant a licence for such treatments.
See here for more details NESCI Brief on 2008 HFE Bill [...]