Gordon Brown MUST allow a free vote on embryo research legislation

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, now going through UK Parliament, allows the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for medical research.
 

We hear consistently the claims that the experimentation being permitted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill holds great promise for future cures of illness such as cystic fibrosis and MS.

The evidence for this is so far sparse. Very little progress has been made through embryonic stem cell research.

In contrast, all the published research points to adult stem cell research as showing far better results, even in the specific task of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. What is to be lost in facing these facts? They actually indicate the pathways of successful research to which there are no ethical objections.

To suggest that Labour MPs with conscientious objections may abstain would not be good enough.

They must have the right to vote according to their conscience on these fundamental moral issues.

But Mr Brown is refusing to let the MPs and ministers vote against the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which he believes will lead to major advances in medicine and the treatment of fatal diseases.

The staunchest opponents will be told if they vote against, they are putting at risk Government plans.

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has called for a free vote "because Catholics and others will want to vote according to their consciences", while Scotland's Cardinal Keith O'Brien has described plans to allow the creation of part-human, part-animal embryos as "monstrous".

"It is difficult to imagine a single piece of legislation which more comprehensively attacks the sanctity and dignity of human life than this particular Bill," he said.

"The Government has no mandate for these changes: they were not in any election manifesto, nor do they enjoy widespread public support. One might say that we are about to have a public Government endorsement of experiments of Frankenstein proportion - without many people really being aware of what is going on."

The Bill’s most controversial aspects concern the creation of human-animal hybrid or “chimera” embryos. This involves a process in which human DNA would be placed into an animal cell which had been “holed out” to allow it to serve as a host to this material.

There are suggestions this weekend that the moral compass is wavering and that MPs and ministers who oppose individual clauses in the bill will be allowed to abstain quietly, as long as their actions do not prevent it becoming law. If that is a compromise, it is a ropey one. Anybody who opposes the bill on moral grounds will surely not be party to such a grubby deal. MPs and ministers should have a genuine free vote.

Mr Brown MUST listen to his MPS and also voters.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, now going through UK Parliament, allows the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for medical research.
 

We hear consistently the claims that the experimentation being permitted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill holds great promise for future cures of illness such as cystic fibrosis and MS.

The evidence for this is so far sparse. Very little progress has been made through embryonic stem cell research.

In contrast, all the published research points to adult stem cell research as showing far better results, even in the specific task of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. What is to be lost in facing these facts? They actually indicate the pathways of successful research to which there are no ethical objections.

To suggest that Labour MPs with conscientious objections may abstain would not be good enough.

They must have the right to vote according to their conscience on these fundamental moral issues.

But Mr Brown is refusing to let the MPs and ministers vote against the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which he believes will lead to major advances in medicine and the treatment of fatal diseases.

The staunchest opponents will be told if they vote against, they are putting at risk Government plans.

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has called for a free vote "because Catholics and others will want to vote according to their consciences", while Scotland's Cardinal Keith O'Brien has described plans to allow the creation of part-human, part-animal embryos as "monstrous".

"It is difficult to imagine a single piece of legislation which more comprehensively attacks the sanctity and dignity of human life than this particular Bill," he said.

"The Government has no mandate for these changes: they were not in any election manifesto, nor do they enjoy widespread public support. One might say that we are about to have a public Government endorsement of experiments of Frankenstein proportion - without many people really being aware of what is going on."

The Bill’s most controversial aspects concern the creation of human-animal hybrid or “chimera” embryos. This involves a process in which human DNA would be placed into an animal cell which had been “holed out” to allow it to serve as a host to this material.

There are suggestions this weekend that the moral compass is wavering and that MPs and ministers who oppose individual clauses in the bill will be allowed to abstain quietly, as long as their actions do not prevent it becoming law. If that is a compromise, it is a ropey one. Anybody who opposes the bill on moral grounds will surely not be party to such a grubby deal. MPs and ministers should have a genuine free vote.

Mr Brown MUST listen to his MPS and also voters.

We the undersigned

MPs MUST be given a free vote in the the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill in Parliment.

They should be allowed to vote in the way THEIR conscience and beliefs tell them. They should not be told they cannot have a say. That is not a democracy. 

There should be a clear cut Yes or No in this vote.  Abstaining to keep the peace should not be an option.

Please carefully consider all the moral, ethical and other objections before you enforce this legislation through.

Thank you for taking time to read this.