Mitochondrial Transfer (Three-Parent Children) Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Bob Stewart
Main Page: Bob Stewart (Conservative - Beckenham)Department Debates - View all Bob Stewart's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
Mitochondrial Transfer (Three-Parent Children)
Bob Stewart Excerpts(10 years, 4 months ago)
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Jacob Rees-Mogg
I was going to come on to that. As an aside, the reason we were able to determine that Richard III’s body was his was through the female line, and because we could establish the continuity of the DNA. I do not believe Government promises of secrecy. They promised that to sperm donors historically. Governments cannot be relied upon, because society becomes more open and so demands greater openness. I have no doubt that if the technique is ultimately used the donors will be identified and people with three or potentially four parents will find out.
Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)
On that point, the worry that occurs immediately to me as I listen to my hon. Friend is that if someone does not know who the third or fourth person who created them is, through sheer chance they may well find themselves marrying their brother or sister.
Jacob Rees-Mogg
That is a risk, and there are others. Already in the United States a different price is charged depending on the educational qualifications of the donor. There are worries about eugenics, a point I was going to come on to.