Explanatory Notes

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008

2008 CHAPTER 22

13 November 2008

Commentary on Sections

Part 1: Amendments of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990

Section 11: Activities that may be licensed
Licences for treatment

47.Paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Act amends paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act to enable treatment licences to be granted for the use of embryos for training persons in embryo biopsy, embryo storage and other embryological techniques, but only where the HFEA is satisfied that such use is necessary for that purpose. Paragraph 1 is also amended to ensure that only “permitted embryos” within the meaning of new section 3ZA can be placed in a woman. The Act substitutes a new provision for paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 2 to prevent a treatment licence authorising the alteration of the nuclear or mitochondrial DNA of a cell while it forms part of an embryo. This is subject to any regulations under new section 3ZA(5) as inserted by section 3.