PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
IVF (5 September 2014)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will revise his definition of genetic modification to include manipulations of mitochondrial DNA.
Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)
Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)
Answer
The Department decided that, because there is no existing universally agreed definition of genetic modification in humans, it would adopt a working definition. The definition that has been adopted is that genetic modification involves the germ-line modification of nuclear DNA (in the chromosomes) that can be passed on to future generations.
We have no current plans to revise the working definition but will keep it under review.
Answered by:
George Freeman (Conservative)
12 September 2014
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