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Embryology

Volume 698: debated on Thursday 7 February 2008

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 7 January (WA 152), what was the outcome of deliberations on the appropriateness of the term “child donor” in the context of proposed new paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, inserted by paragraph 12 of Schedule 3 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, with particular reference to the term used in the analogous situation in proposed new paragraph 10; and whether they intend to change the term to “child patient”. [HL1615]

The Government have no plans to change the term “child donor” in the context of proposed new paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 at the present time. The use of the term “child donor” has the specific meaning set out in that paragraph and does not have any broader meaning. The Government do, however, recognise the need to ensure clarity in the use of terminology and will consider this matter further as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill progresses.