Genetics

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on genetics. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs. For material on genetically modified organisms, see agriculture.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
10.05.2011Sources of social statistics: Health Services and Public Health
11.11.2008Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - What Happened?
This Note describes the passage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2008 through Parliament.

Research Papers

DateDescription
09.07.2008Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report
02.05.2008Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [HL]
27.11.2001Human Reproductive Cloning Bill (HL) (Bill 57 of 2001-02)
Human Reproductive Cloning Bill (HL) (Bill 57 of 2001/02). House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/104
12.12.2000Stem cell research and regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990
Stem cell research and regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/93. (Revised edition 13.12.2000)

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
14.12.2009Genomic medicine.
Government response. Department of Health report [Commons and Lords]
03.06.2009Genomic medicine.
Science and Technology Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
20.07.2009DESTRUCTION OF STORED HUMAN EMBRYOS
That this House notes that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1582), dated 25 July 2009, a copy ...
16.12.2008EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS JUDGMENT AND THE NATIONAL DNA DATABASE
That this House welcomes the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of S vs Marper; believes that the DNA of innocent people should not be retained in the National ...
15.12.2008TRANSPLANTING ORGANS GROWN FROM ADULT STEM CELLS
That this House welcomes the first transplant of an organ grown in a laboratory from adult stem cells; notes that by using stem cells obtained from the organ recipient both the risk ...
03.07.2008FREE VOTES ON THE HUMAN FERTILISATION AND EMBRYOLOGY BILL
That this House notes that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill permits the creation of human-animal hybrids, so-called saviour siblings (children who could be created specifically ...
02.07.2008DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
That this House notes that Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle wasting disease; recognises that DMD is caused by variations in the dystrophin gene on ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
14.11.2007Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [HL] (HL Bill 6, 2007-08) LLN 2007/007
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. House of Lords Library Note 2007/007

POST Papers

DateDescription
18.03.2013Preventing Mitochondrial Disease
This note describes new treatments designed to prevent mothers with mitochondrial disease passing their condition on to their children and looks at the issues raised by their potential use in IVF.
21.12.2012Plant-made Pharmaceuticals
The use of genetically modified (GM) plants to produce pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines is an emerging technology that offers a low-cost, large-scale alternative to current methods. This POSTnote looks at recent advances in, and the benefits of, the technology, and analyses the associated biosafety and regulatory issues.
15.03.2012Consumer Genetic Testing
This POSTnote explores the scientific, regulatory, and ethical issues related to genetic tests sold to consumers.
12.10.2011Improving livestock
This note describes current technologies used in livestock breeding, research into future technologies and how the improvement of livestock can contribute towards future food security.
15.09.2011GM crops and food security
This POSTnote examines the potential contribution that genetic modification of crops might bring to increasing food production in Europe, in a global context.
01.01.2008Synthetic biology, January 2008
Synthetic biology, January 2008. POSTnote 08/298.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords