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Embryology bill compromise sought Embryology bill compromise sought
(10 minutes later)
The government is looking for a way to satisfy Labour MPs who are opposed to parts of a controversial embryo bill.The government is looking for a way to satisfy Labour MPs who are opposed to parts of a controversial embryo bill.
Whips are talking to MPs about possible resolutions including allowing MPs to abstain on parts of the bill, so long as its passage is not threatened.Whips are talking to MPs about possible resolutions including allowing MPs to abstain on parts of the bill, so long as its passage is not threatened.
Some MPs are deeply concerned about letting scientists create embryos which combine human DNA and animal cells.Some MPs are deeply concerned about letting scientists create embryos which combine human DNA and animal cells.
Prominent Catholic clergy, including Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, have called for MPs to have a free vote.Prominent Catholic clergy, including Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, have called for MPs to have a free vote.
The cardinal, who is the Roman Catholic leader in England and Wales, said MPs would want to vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill according to their convictions.The cardinal, who is the Roman Catholic leader in England and Wales, said MPs would want to vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill according to their convictions.
Catholics in politics have got to act according to their Catholic convictions, so have other Christians, so have other politicians Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor Q&A: Hybrid embryosCatholics in politics have got to act according to their Catholic convictions, so have other Christians, so have other politicians Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor Q&A: Hybrid embryos
"Certainly, there are some aspects of this bill on which I believe there ought to be a free vote, because Catholics and others will want to vote according to their conscience," he told Sky News in an interview broadcast on Sunday."Certainly, there are some aspects of this bill on which I believe there ought to be a free vote, because Catholics and others will want to vote according to their conscience," he told Sky News in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
"I don't think it should be subject to the party whip.""I don't think it should be subject to the party whip."
'Way forward''Way forward'
The government says the medical benefits of allowing the creation of hybrid embryos for research purposes could ease the suffering of millions of people, including those affected by Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The government says the medical benefits of allowing the creation of hybrid embryos for research purposes could ease the suffering of millions of people.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYSince when did the Catholic church decide how the British government conducts its affairs?Tony, Newcastle class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4511&edition=1&ttl=20080323091144">Send us your comments For people out there suffering from Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease, this is not a question of some issue about the procedure through the House of Commons. This is an issue about whether we can find the drugs that can cure their illnesses Health Secretary Alan Johnson The embryos are made by combining animal eggs with human nuclei, which can then be grown into stem cells and used by scientists. The bill comes in response to a shortage of available human eggs for research.
The embryos are made by combining animal eggs with human nuclei, which can then be grown into stem cells and used by scientists. The bill comes in response to a shortage of available human eggs for research. Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the bill tackles deadly and debilitating diseases, and said it was a distortion to talk of it producing Frankensteins and "hybrid monsters".
But Mr Brown has faced growing dissent over the bill, including from several prominent ministers. "For people out there suffering from Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease, this is not a question of some issue about the procedure through the House of Commons," he told BBC News 24.
"This is an issue about whether we can find the drugs that can cure their illnesses. So this is the heart of the matter."
Mr Brown has faced growing dissent over the bill, including from several prominent ministers.
One Catholic Labour MP, Joe Benton, has warned that a "substantial number" of fellow Labour MPs are ready to defy the government if there is no free vote.One Catholic Labour MP, Joe Benton, has warned that a "substantial number" of fellow Labour MPs are ready to defy the government if there is no free vote.
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy is reportedly prepared to quit the cabinet rather than vote for the bill. Other Catholics in the cabinet are Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and Defence Secretary Des Browne.Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy is reportedly prepared to quit the cabinet rather than vote for the bill. Other Catholics in the cabinet are Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and Defence Secretary Des Browne.
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said the bill was an important piece of government business which must be passed, but suggested a compromise was possible.Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said the bill was an important piece of government business which must be passed, but suggested a compromise was possible.
He told Sky News: "I believe it is possible, if we listen to the arguments and we remove the misunderstandings, to find a way forward so the government can complete its business."He told Sky News: "I believe it is possible, if we listen to the arguments and we remove the misunderstandings, to find a way forward so the government can complete its business."
'Good thing' Anglican bishop
But in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Labour MP Stephen Byers - a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair - said the public would "look on in disbelief" if Mr Brown did not offer a free vote.But in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Labour MP Stephen Byers - a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair - said the public would "look on in disbelief" if Mr Brown did not offer a free vote.
This is about using pre-embryonic cells to do research that has the potential to ease the suffering of millions of people in this country Health minister Ben Bradshaw class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYSince when did the Catholic church decide how the British government conducts its affairs?Tony, Newcastle class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4511&edition=1&ttl=20080323091144">Send us your comments
Other senior Catholic clergymen including Scottish leader Cardinal Keith O'Brien and the Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, have also called on Mr Brown to allow a free vote.Other senior Catholic clergymen including Scottish leader Cardinal Keith O'Brien and the Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, have also called on Mr Brown to allow a free vote.
And on Sunday the Anglican Bishop of Durham issued a rallying call to all faiths to object to the "1984-style" proposals.And on Sunday the Anglican Bishop of Durham issued a rallying call to all faiths to object to the "1984-style" proposals.
The Right Reverend Tom Wright accused ministers of pushing through legislation from "a militantly atheist and secularist lobby".The Right Reverend Tom Wright accused ministers of pushing through legislation from "a militantly atheist and secularist lobby".
But Health Minister Ben Bradshaw has said: "This is about using pre-embryonic cells to do research that has the potential to ease the suffering of millions of people in this country.
"The government has taken a view that this is a good thing."
Liberal Democrat Evan Harris, a member of the Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee, said it was right to conduct research that "might be used to treat people with terrible diseases".Liberal Democrat Evan Harris, a member of the Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee, said it was right to conduct research that "might be used to treat people with terrible diseases".
The bill received its first reading in the House of Commons in February, and while no date has been set for its second reading - or approval in principle - it is viewed as a key piece of legislation on the government's agenda.The bill received its first reading in the House of Commons in February, and while no date has been set for its second reading - or approval in principle - it is viewed as a key piece of legislation on the government's agenda.
Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will allow their MPs a free vote.Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will allow their MPs a free vote.
The bill is designed to bring the 1990 regulatory framework for fertility treatment and embryo research in line with scientific advances.The bill is designed to bring the 1990 regulatory framework for fertility treatment and embryo research in line with scientific advances.