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Brown criticised over embryo bill | Brown criticised over embryo bill |
(10 minutes later) | |
The leader of the Roman Catholic church in Scotland has urged Gordon Brown to rethink "monstrous" plans to allow hybrid human-animal embryos. | The leader of the Roman Catholic church in Scotland has urged Gordon Brown to rethink "monstrous" plans to allow hybrid human-animal embryos. |
Cardinal Keith O'Brien will use his Easter Sunday sermon to launch a scathing attack on the government's controversial proposals. | Cardinal Keith O'Brien will use his Easter Sunday sermon to launch a scathing attack on the government's controversial proposals. |
He will also call on the prime minister to allow Labour MPs a free vote on the issue at Westminster. | He will also call on the prime minister to allow Labour MPs a free vote on the issue at Westminster. |
Mr Brown has said the bill would improve research into many illnesses. | Mr Brown has said the bill would improve research into many illnesses. |
Hybrid embryos | Hybrid embryos |
Supporters of the bill believe hybrid embryos could lead to cures for diseases including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. | |
Leading scientists accused the Roman Catholic Church of "scaremongering" over research which had the potential to save many lives. | Leading scientists accused the Roman Catholic Church of "scaremongering" over research which had the potential to save many lives. |
Cardinal O'Brien, who is the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, also wants Catholic ministers serving in the Cabinet to stand down rather than support the bill. | |
In his sermon, which was released on Friday, the cardinal claims that the bill would lead to the endorsement of experiments of "Frankenstein proportions". | |
This is yet another example where it is clear that the Catholic Church is misrepresenting science because it doesn't understand the basic facts Dr Stephen MingerKing's College London | |
He says: "This bill represents a monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life. | He says: "This bill represents a monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life. |
"In some European countries one could be jailed for doing what we intend to make legal. | "In some European countries one could be jailed for doing what we intend to make legal. |
"I can say that the government has no mandate for these changes: they were not in any election manifesto, nor do they enjoy widespread public support." | "I can say that the government has no mandate for these changes: they were not in any election manifesto, nor do they enjoy widespread public support." |
The cardinal describes the practice as "grotesque" and "hideous". | The cardinal describes the practice as "grotesque" and "hideous". |
Dr Stephen Minger, director of the stem cell biology laboratory at King's College London, said: "This is yet another example where it is clear that the Catholic Church is misrepresenting science because it doesn't understand the basic facts." | |
He added: "The church should carefully review the science they are commenting on, and ensure that their official comments are accurate, before seriously misinforming their congregations." | |
'Strict controls' | |
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The Government listened very carefully to arguments from the scientific community about the need to create 'hybrid' embryos. | |
"This matter has been closely scrutinised by parliamentary select committees, and voted on by the House of Lords. | |
"The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority also ran a public consultation on this issue last year." | |
The spokeswoman said the Government was proposing "strict controls" on the research which were broadly the same as those applying to research on human embryos. | |
"There will be a limit of 14 days' development of the embryo, and they cannot be put in a woman or an animal," she added. | |
"This is not about 'creating monsters'. It is purely laboratory research, and is aimed at increasing knowledge about serious diseases and treatments for them." | |
Free vote | Free vote |
In his sermon, Cardinal O'Brien also calls for the establishment of a "single permanent national bioethics commission". | |
He has written to Mr Brown to tell him that this would be the only way in which the issue could be "adequately discussed". | He has written to Mr Brown to tell him that this would be the only way in which the issue could be "adequately discussed". |
A proposed amendment to the bill, which would have prohibited the creation of inter-species embryos - known as human admixed embryos - was defeated by 268 votes to 96 in the House of Lords in January. | A proposed amendment to the bill, which would have prohibited the creation of inter-species embryos - known as human admixed embryos - was defeated by 268 votes to 96 in the House of Lords in January. |
Labour peers were instructed to follow the party whip by voting against the proposed amendment. | Labour peers were instructed to follow the party whip by voting against the proposed amendment. |
Conservative leader David Cameron has called on Mr Brown to allow Labour MPs to have a free vote on the bill when it returns to the House of Commons later in the year. | Conservative leader David Cameron has called on Mr Brown to allow Labour MPs to have a free vote on the bill when it returns to the House of Commons later in the year. |
Scottish National Party Westminster leader Angus Robertson also urged Mr Brown to allow Labour MPs to vote according to their beliefs. | Scottish National Party Westminster leader Angus Robertson also urged Mr Brown to allow Labour MPs to vote according to their beliefs. |
Mr Robertson said: "It is essential that MPs are allowed a free vote on this issue so they are not forced to compromise their own beliefs. | Mr Robertson said: "It is essential that MPs are allowed a free vote on this issue so they are not forced to compromise their own beliefs. |
"There will be no whip on SNP MPs, and I would encourage Gordon Brown to allow Labour MPs the same right to vote according to their individual beliefs and moral judgment, rather than following a party whip." | "There will be no whip on SNP MPs, and I would encourage Gordon Brown to allow Labour MPs the same right to vote according to their individual beliefs and moral judgment, rather than following a party whip." |
Free votes allow MPs to vote according to their own beliefs rather than following the party whip. | Free votes allow MPs to vote according to their own beliefs rather than following the party whip. |
Mr Brown has said a decision on whether a free vote will be held will be taken "in due course". | Mr Brown has said a decision on whether a free vote will be held will be taken "in due course". |