Parish Notice
Our Lady of Walsingham
PARISH NOTICE
HUMAN FERTILISATION & EMBRYOLOGY BILL (HEF BILL)
As a result of the tremendous support we received fonn churches throughout the country in the campaign leading up to the Report Stage Final Reading of the HFE Bill, MPs were swamped with telephone calls, letters, emails, and cards to such an extent that the Government became really worried and introduced a Business Motion which prevented any abortion legislation being debated. This was a major victory for us and we are enonnously grateful to all those who helped. .
Nonetheless, the Bill (which now concentrates on embryos and clones) remains a monstrous piece of legislation and passed its Final Reading with a large majority.
It will allow the production of embryonic human clones as disposable guinea pigs and "admixed" embryos (animal/lhuman) for the same purpose. It has a number of loopholes that are very dangerous and we lost the votes on amendments to stop the following (which are all possibilities as the law is presently drafted):
human reproductive cloning; the production of genetically modified babies; the manufacture of embryos beginning as animals - but could develop to predominantly human; a fourth pro-life amendment was defeated which aimed to block a loophole which could result in human gametes [sperm or eggs) being placed in animals. They will excuse all this on the grounds that (AT THIS STAGE) the embryos would be allowed only to live up to fourteen days. Then they will be killed. (They will also claim that the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority - a broken-backed body with no pro-life members - is in control)
The voting list on the Final Reading is available. If your MP voted with us - please be sure to write thanking him/her. Make sure they are aware of the support for them especially if they are-Labour MPs who defied the party Whips. They were very courageous.
If they voted against us - please be sure that they are swamped with mail from you, regretting their votes and stressing that you will hold them responsible for developments resulting nom the new legislation.
Throughout the debate, scientists have persistently claimed that experiments on the human embryo and "admixed" embryos (human/animal) will bring great benefits in the form of treatments for diseases which at present are incurable. They feed on fear and they made exactly the same claims regarding human embryos in 1990 - but in the seventeen years, since then, not even one treatment has materialised to help the sick - in comparison with around 90 treatments using adult stem cells, which are perfectly ethical. MPs were infonned of this.
Millions of pounds have been spent on embryo research with no results - while people with genetic diseases are left waiting for help. Make it clear to your MPs (if they voted for the Final Reading) that you will hold them responsible for lack of money for proper research to help fund treatments for the sick.
Further infonnation nom - Phyllis Bowman, Right To Life, PO Box 26264, London W3 9WF. Telephone 020 8992 7657. Email Phyllis@Righttolife.org.uk.
Back to top | Back to previous page