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Opinion,
Comment & Reviews
Abortion politics |
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Parliamentary
References on Reproductive Health
February 2001
Fetal tissue research
Fetuses retained for research
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government
how many fetuses are held for research purposes by hospitals
and clinics through the United Kingdom; what form of consent
was obtained from their parents; whether any fetal tissue
has been used for work involving stem cells or germ live gene
therapy; what ovarian tissue from aborted or miscarried fetuses
has been the subject of research licences and whether they
will list the details.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Minister for Health) replied
that information on the number of fetuses held for research
is not available. However, the recent Census of Organs and
Tissues Retained by Pathology Services in England shows an
estimated 2,900 "stillborn babies and fetuses" retained
at the end of 1999 from post-mortems carried out between 1970
and 1999; and a further 2,700 retained from before 1970. The
census did not distinguish between stillbirths and aborted
fetuses or specify why the fetuses were retained. The use
of fetuses in research falls under the Polkinghorne Code of
Practice on the Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material in Research
and Treatment, which states that the written consent of the
mother should be obtained. There is no licensing system for
fetal research. Consequently, data to answer the questions
about ovarian tissue and the origins of fetal stem cells used
in research are not available.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Suppliers of fetal tissue
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government
what fetal tissue is supplied to the Medical Research Council
fetal tissue banks at Hammersmith Hospital by the Marie Stopes
Ealing abortion clinic; what commercial arrangements exist
between these institutions; to what use this fetal tissue
been put; what consent has been obtained from parents; what
other links exist in the United Kingdom between the National
Health Service facilities and abortion clinics and whether
they will list them.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath replied that the clinic supplies
fetuses from terminations of pregnancy to the tissue bank.
There are no commercial arrangements between the two institutions
and the fetal material is provided free of charge. The tissue
bank is an intermediary body set up in accordance with the
Polkinghorne recommendations and does not itself carry out
research. The tissue is put to a variety of uses from applied
research on diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes,
lung disease. Down's syndrome, leprosy and AIDS/HIV to underpinning
research on basic cell and tissue culture techniques and work
on normal human development. Written consent is obtained from
women in accordance with Polkinghorne Code of Practice on
the Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material in Research and Treatment.
The only other independent sector clinic with permission to
supply tissue to the National Health Service is the Calthorpe
Clinic, which supplies material to the Birmingham Children's
Hospital.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Judicial review
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government
whether, in the light of the decision of the High Court to
permit a judicial review of the Government's response to the
Donaldson Committee report into the use of human embryos for
research into stem cell techniques, the Human Fertilisation
and Embryology Authority will not issue licences permitting
the use of human embryos until after the court has deliberated
in June.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath replied that on Friday 26th
January the High Court ordered that the question of whether
permission should be granted for the Pro-Life Alliance to
bring a judicial review should be adjourned and considered
at a full hearing to be held on or after 15 June. At the full
hearing, the court will decide whether the application should
proceed. If this is permitted, the court will then go on to
consider the substantive issues.
The application concerns the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
(Research Purposes) Regulations 2001, and the definition of
"embryo" in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Act 1990. It is for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority to decide whether or not to issue licences under
the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and the recent
Research Purposes Regulations. The authority has decided not
to issue any licences for research involving cell nuclear
replacement until the outcome of the judicial review is known,
although it will consider any applications it receives. The
authority has not, however, received any applications for
such research.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Misoprostol
Trials of misoprostol
Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Health)
asked the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the
hospitals which (a) have been, (b) are and (c) plan to be
involved in trials of misoprostol; what evidence he has collated
concerning the drug's effects during the first stages of labour;
what representations have been made to the Government on the
subject of misoprostol; if he will review the Government's
policy on the use of misoprostol; and if he will make a statement.
Gisela Stuart (Minister of State for Health) replied
that misoprostol is not currently licensed for the induction
of labour. The Department has asked the National Institute
for Clinical Excellence to provide clinical guidelines on
the induction of labour and their report is expected this
summer. Our view is that until such time as the NICE guidelines
are issued, use of misoprostol for the induction of labour
should only be administered under properly managed clinical
trials where the risks and benefits of the drug are fully
explained and understood by women.
Since March 1998, the Medicines Control Agency has received
and approved 22 notifications for clinical trials of misoprostol
in the United Kingdom from Consultant Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
These notifications have been made under the provisions of
the Doctors and Dentists Exemption Scheme. Details of clinical
trials, including data collated during trials, are not normally
released, without the consent of the parties concerned, as
there are legitimate commercial and other confidential interests
which cannot be disclosed. Such interests are recognised in
the current administrative Code of Practice on Access to Government
Information and also in the freedom of information legislation.
Written answer 27 Feb 2001
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception and staff liability
Graham Brady MP asked the Secretary of State for Education
and Employment (1) what guidance he has given to schools regarding
the potential liability of (a) governors and (b) staff when
emergency contraception is given to girls under the age of
16 by school staff or on school premises without the consent
of parents; (2) what guidance he has given schools regarding
the potential liability of (a) school governors, (b) teachers,
(c) head teachers and (d) other school staff in the event
of emergency contraception being provided to girls under the
age of sixteen by school staff or on school premises without
the consent of parents.
Jacqui Smith MP (Minister of State for Education) replied
that the Learning and Skills Act makes it clear that governing
bodies must have regard to our Sex and Relationship Education
Guidance when developing sex and relationship education policies.
The guidance, published last July, clearly states that governing
bodies and head teachers should consult parents in developing
their sex and relationship education policy to ensure that
they develop policies which reflect parents' wishes and the
culture of the community they serve. Trained staff in secondary
schools should be able to give young people full information
about different types of contraception, including emergency
contraception and their effectiveness. Outside the teaching
situation, health professionals such as school nurses can
give one-to-one advice or information to a pupil on a health-related
matter including contraception.
We would not normally expect school nurses to issue contraception
or emergency contraception. In the few cases where school
nurses are dispensing contraception, this should be made clear
in school's sex and relationship education policy, which has
to be agreed with parents. These arrangements should not proceed
until parents have been consulted
Written answer 6 February 2001
Emergency contraception and staff liability
Graham Brady MP asked the Secretary of State for Health,
pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2001, Official Report,
column 484W, what guidance he has given to schools regarding
the potential liability of school staff who dispense emergency
contraception to girls under the age of 16 years in the event
of medical complications arising as a result of the emergency
contraception.
Yvette Cooper MP (Minister of State for Health) replied
that emergency contraception in schools can be provided only
by school nurses with a family planning background and specialised
training to work under patient group directions. School nurses
in maintained schools are employed by the National Health
Service. Potential liability is covered by the arrangements
of the NHS body concerned.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Teenage girls
Desmond Swayne MP asked the Secretary of State for
Health what research has been commissioned of the safety of
post-coital contraception with respect to girls aged (a) 12
years to 14 years and (b) 14 years to 16 years; and if he
will make a statement.
Yvette Cooper MP replied that once a young woman becomes
fertile, the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health
Care advise that there are no physiological reasons why emergency
contraception should not be used if she is at risk of pregnancy
because she has had unprotected sex. The safety profile of
EHC is believed to be similar in those under 16 years of age
to those over 16. Emergency contraception has been used worldwide,
including by women aged under 16, since the 1980s, and no
major safety concerns have arisen. Clinical trials for new
drugs are not routinely conducted on young people under 16
unless there is a specific indication such as childhood leukaemia.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Emergency contraception and teenage girls
Desmond Swayne MP asked the Secretary of State for Health
if Levonorgestrel is licensed for use by girls between the
ages of 11 and 15.
Gisela Stuart replied that levonorgestrel is available
as a prescription-only medicine, without an age limit. It
may therefore be prescribed to women aged under 16 years.
When given for the purposes of emergency contraception, prescribers
are expected to satisfy themselves, in accordance with guidelines,
that the young person understands the advice and it is in
their best interests to receive the treatment.
From 1 January 2001, pharmacists have been permitted to supply
Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg to women aged 16 years and over for
use as an emergency contraceptive.
Written answer 13 February 2001
Clinical trials on emergency contraception for teenage
girls
Desmond Swayne MP asked the Secretary of State for
Health what clinical trials involving girls between the ages
of 11 and 15 years have been conducted with respect to Levonorgestrel.
Gisela Stuart MP replied that no clinical trials specific
to this age group have been undertaken in the United Kingdom.
The marketing authorisation granted in 1999 for Levonorgestrel
0.75 mg tablets as a prescription-only medicine was supported
by evidence from two large randomised controlled studies,
one conducted by the World Health Organisation, and published
data from uncontrolled studies.
Most women in the clinical trials were aged between 16 and
48, but a few girls aged 14 and 15 were included. There were
no data available for girls between aged 11 and 14 years.
Age analysis of efficacy and safety in the randomised studies
did not identify any population that responded differently
to treatment.
Written answer 13 February 2001
Teenage Pregnancy
Support for teenagers
Karen Buck MP asked the Secretary of State for Health
what research his Department has undertaken into the relationship
between levels of support for parents of young children and
levels of teenage pregnancy.
Yvette Cooper MP replied that development of the cross-departmental
teenage pregnancy strategy drew on a full analysis of United
Kingdom and international research in the area. There is no
direct evidence to suggest any relationship between levels
of teenage conceptions and material or financial support for
teenage parents. Research does, however, suggest that support
offered by a young woman's parents may impact on her decision
whether to continue with a pregnancy. Further information
on this will become available as the impact of the strategy
is evaluated.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Financial and service support and teenage pregnancy
Karen Buck MP asked the Secretary of State for Health
what evidence he has assessed on the nature of the connection
between levels of financial or other service support for parents
of young children and levels of teenage pregnancy (a) in the
UK and (b) in other European countries.
Yvette Cooper MP replied that development of the cross-departmental
teenage pregnancy strategy drew on a full analysis of United
Kingdom and international research in this area. Research
conducted to inform the Social Exclusion Unit's report on
teenage pregnancy found little relationship between a country's
allocation of its funds to family related benefits and teenage
birth rates.
Research in the UK does, however, suggest that support offered
by a young woman's parents may impact on her decision whether
to continue with a pregnancy. Further information on this
will become available as the impact of the strategy is evaluated.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Sexual advice to young people
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government whether they
will issue guidance to health professionals advising them
to commend sexual abstinence for young people under 16 for
the sake of their health and personal development.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath replied that best practice
guidance on the provision of effective contraception and advice
services for young people was sent to all local teenage pregnancy
co-ordinators and posted on the Department of Health's teenage
pregnancy website in December.
The guidance highlights the importance of services having
staffed trained in counselling skills and providing sufficient
time and support to allow young people to make informed choices
about their relationships.
A national media campaign aimed at young people began in October.
The central messages of the campaign are about encouraging
young people to take control of their lives, personal responsibility
and not to be pressurised into having sex. The design of the
campaign was informed by a major piece of research into what
media messages and advertising campaigns work best with young
people.
Written answer 12 February 2001
Sexual Health Strategy
Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Strategy
Laura Moffatt MP asked the Secretary of State for Health
if he will make a statement on progress with his sexual health
and HIV/AIDS strategy.
Yvette Cooper MP replied that the merger of the sexual
health and HIV strategies inevitably led to slippage in the
timetable. However, considerable progress has been made with
producing an integrated strategy that will set a programme
of action on sexual health and HIV for England. We plan to
issue the strategy for consultation shortly.
Written answer 6 February 2001
International family planning
Abortion and sterilisation
Ann Winterton MP asked the Secretary of State for International
Development what plans she has to review her policy on the
provision of public funding to overseas aid organisations
involved in compulsory abortion and sterilisation in the third
world and China; and if she will make a statement.
Clare Short MP (Secretary of State for International Development)
replied that her Department does not fund organisations
involved in compulsory abortion and sterilisation. DFID makes
annual contributions towards the work of the United Nations
Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation
in over 150 countries. These organisations have programmes
in China aimed at promoting international standards of freedom
of choice reproductive health. DIFD strongly support these
efforts.
Written answer 5 February 2001
Abortion
Ann Winterton MP asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will request from his counterpart
in the US Administration the background information that formed
the basis of their decision to withhold US Government funding
from organisations providing abortion in the Third World and
China; and
(2) if he intends to support the United States President's
recently announced policy concerning US Government funding
for organisations providing abortion in the Third World and
China during his forthcoming visit to the US.
John Battle MP (Minister of State for International Development)
replied that the question of US funding of organisations whose
programme includes the provision of abortion services and
advice is a matter for the US Government to determine.
Written answer 7 February 2001
International family planning aid
Jenny Tonge MP asked the Secretary of State for International
Development what assessment she has made of the impact of
President Bush's reinstatement of restrictions on US international
family planning aid.
Chris Mullin MP (Minister of State for International Development)
replied that implications of the decision by the new US Administration
to block funding to international non-governmental organisations
that offer abortion and abortion counselling will become clearer
over the coming weeks as guidance is issued from USAID.
The Administration's decision is a matter for the US Government;
it will make no difference to the commitment of this Government
to help poor people access good quality family planning and
reproductive health services.
Written answer 13 February 2001
EDM 248
UNITED STATES FUNDING FOR INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING AGENCIES
24.01.01
48 signatures
Chris McCafferty
Ms Diane Abbott
Mr Richard Allan
Ms Candy Atherton
Jackie Ballard
Mr Harry Barnes
Dr Peter Brand
Mr Russell Brown
Dr Vincent Cable
Mr Ronnie Campbell
Ann Clwyd
Mr Jeremy Corbyn
Mrs Ann Cryer
Valerie Davey
Maria Fyfe
Mr Andrew George
Mrs Linda Gilroy
Dr Norman A Godman
Mr Win Griffiths
Mr Mike Hancock
Dr Evan Harris
Mr Nick Harvey
Mr Kelvin Hopkins
Mr Eric Illsley
Glenda Jackson
Lynne Jones
Dr Ashok Kumar
Mr David Lepper
Mr Ken Livingstone
Alice Mahon
Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews
Mr John McDonnell
Mr John McWilliam
Mr Bill Michie
Laura Moffatt
Ms Julie Morgan
Kali Mountford
Dr Doug Naysmith
Mr Edward O'Hara
Mr Martin Salter
Mr Alan Simpson
Mr Dennis Skinner
Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West)
Mr Simon Thomas
Dr Jenny Tonge
Mr Paul Tyler
Mrs Betty Williams
Derek Wyatt
That this House condemns the decision by the United States
Administration to withdraw funds from international family
planning groups that support abortion in any way, even if
the funds would be used for a purpose entirely unrelated to
abortion; notes that according to United Nations figures 78,000
women die and millions suffer injuries and illnesses as a
result of unsafe abortions every year; further notes that
the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development
(ISPD) states that 'all women should have access to quality
services for the management of complications rising from abortions';
and calls on the Government to fully support international
family planning agencies and their work to save women's lives.
MPs included in this issue
John Battle MP. Lab, Leeds West
Graham Brady MP. Con, Altrincham and Sale West
Karen Buck MP. Lab, Regent's Park and Kensington North
Yvette Cooper MP. Lab, Pontefract and Castleford
Nick Harvey. LibDem, North Devon
Laura Moffatt MP. Lab, Crawley
Chris Mullin MP. Lab, Sunderland South
Clare Short MP. Birmingham Ladywood
Jacqui Smith MP. Lab, Redditch
Gisela Stuart. MP, Birmingham Edgbaston
Desmond Swayne MP. Con, New Forest West
Dr Jenny Tonge MP. LibDem, Richmond
Ann Winterton MP. Con, Congleton
Parliamentary References on Reproductive Health is produced
by British Pregnancy Advisory Service. For further information
please contact Amanda Callaghan, Public Affairs Manager, Communications
Department, BPAS, 26-27 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3HP Tel:020
7612 0206 amanda@bpas.org |
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