Minister sparks backlash for suggesting foreigners could undergo ‘three-parent babies’ IVF treatment in Britain

The row surrounds mitochondrial DNA transfer, a technique that would offer parents at high risk of having children with severe disabilities such as muscular dystrophy a donor's DNA to mend genetic flaws.

Legislation approving the procedure, which is outlawed in other European countries, is expected to be voted on later this year.

The proposals have triggered fierce debate, with critics warning the "unethical" treatment would effectively create children with three parents and supporters saying it would help stop certain genetic defects from being passed on.

Appearing before a Commons committee considering the legislation, Ms Ellison was asked whether the treatment would be made available to oversees citizens.

"Over time we might expect that the procedure might be offered by centres to oversees patients," Ms Ellison said.

"But that would be for individual clinics to assess each case and of course they would all have to work within the regulatory framework, and the clinics would assess the case and prioritise."

Prof Sally Davies, the Government's Chief Medical Officer, added that "all oversees patients would pay the full cost" of treatment.

Lord Allen, a cross-bench peer, said: "Turning the UK into a tourist destination, encouraging and enabling people to break the laws of their own countries, is not something that the UK should do lightly."

Bill Cash, a Tory MP, said: "I deplore the foreign tourism aspect [of the proposals]. I am against the whole procedure as a matter of principle."

Robert Flello, a Labour MP, said he feared the UK Government would be "liable for legal action by oversees residents for the medical costs, trauma and emotional damage" of children created via the technique.

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Minister sparks backlash for suggesting foreigners could undergo 'three-parent babies' IVF treatment in Britain