The Government have today laid before Parliament a Command Paper (Cm 6989) detailing proposals for revision of the law on assisted reproduction and embryo research. Copies have been placed in the Library.

The proposals are the outcome of a wide-ranging review, which included a public consultation in 2005. The paper also provides more details on the proposed Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryos (RATE) which will replace existing regulatory bodies (the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, and the Human Tissue Authority).

These proposals will go on to form a Bill to be published in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny.