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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Peer and Church clash on embryos | Peer and Church clash on embryos |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A Labour peer has accused the leader of Scotland's Catholic Church of misleading the public over the government's embryo research proposals. | A Labour peer has accused the leader of Scotland's Catholic Church of misleading the public over the government's embryo research proposals. |
| Fertility expert Lord Winston said statements made by Cardinal Keith O'Brien were discrediting the Church. | Fertility expert Lord Winston said statements made by Cardinal Keith O'Brien were discrediting the Church. |
| Some 200 medical charities have urged MPs to support legislation allowing the creation of animal-human embryos. | Some 200 medical charities have urged MPs to support legislation allowing the creation of animal-human embryos. |
| Scientists say hybrid embryos will bring medical benefits but detractors in the church say it is immoral. | Scientists say hybrid embryos will bring medical benefits but detractors in the church say it is immoral. |
| Shortage of eggs | Shortage of eggs |
| The controversy first began when the government announced plans to update the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which would expand the scope of embryo research. | The controversy first began when the government announced plans to update the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which would expand the scope of embryo research. |
| The legislation would allow scientists to combine animal eggs with human nuclei, which can then be grown into stem cells. | The legislation would allow scientists to combine animal eggs with human nuclei, which can then be grown into stem cells. |
| It was introduced because of a shortage of donated human eggs. | It was introduced because of a shortage of donated human eggs. |
| Over the Easter weekend, a number of Catholic Church leaders weighed into the dispute, saying the plans undermined the sanctity of life. | Over the Easter weekend, a number of Catholic Church leaders weighed into the dispute, saying the plans undermined the sanctity of life. |
| I have huge respect for the Catholic Church...but it will be destroying its probity with overblown statements of this kind Lord Winston | I have huge respect for the Catholic Church...but it will be destroying its probity with overblown statements of this kind Lord Winston |
| In his Easter sermon, Cardinal O'Brien described the legislation as a "monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life", adding that it would allow experiments of "Frankenstein proportion". | In his Easter sermon, Cardinal O'Brien described the legislation as a "monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life", adding that it would allow experiments of "Frankenstein proportion". |
| But Lord Winston told The Daily Telegraph he thought the cardinal's statements were inaccurate. | |
| He said: "They are misleading and I'm afraid that when the Church, for good motives, tells untruths, it brings discredit upon itself." | |
| "I have huge respect for the Catholic Church, which does great good, but it will be destroying its probity with overblown statements of this kind." | "I have huge respect for the Catholic Church, which does great good, but it will be destroying its probity with overblown statements of this kind." |
| The row has intensified with a number of Catholic Labour cabinet members warning that they may vote against the government. | The row has intensified with a number of Catholic Labour cabinet members warning that they may vote against the government. |
| Claims defended | |
| Catholic leaders have denied misleading the public over the issue. | |
| The Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, called for a "calm, reasoned debate based on the facts". | |
| He said: "I refute any suggestion that the Catholic bishops have been lying about this Bill or misleading people as to its contents and import," he said. | |
| "Contrary to what a number of scientists have claimed, this Bill does in fact allow the creation of animal-human hybrid embryos for research." | |
| The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, said: "It's a very important part of our society and a very important part of the Christian faith that you should have respect for human embryos. | |
| "If you stop obeying God you start to limit the rights of human beings and this is a case in point." | |
| Research 'hampered' | Research 'hampered' |
| Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation are among more than 200 charities in favour of the creation of human-animal hybrids for research. | Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation are among more than 200 charities in favour of the creation of human-animal hybrids for research. |
| In a letter to every MP, the charities argue that current research is being "significantly hampered" by a shortage of donated human eggs. | In a letter to every MP, the charities argue that current research is being "significantly hampered" by a shortage of donated human eggs. |
| The charities said: "The bill will allow new avenues of scientific inquiry to be pursued which could greatly increase our understanding of serious medical conditions affecting millions of people throughout the UK." | The charities said: "The bill will allow new avenues of scientific inquiry to be pursued which could greatly increase our understanding of serious medical conditions affecting millions of people throughout the UK." |
| They are hopeful of finding cures for diseases and genetic disorders such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and muscular dystrophy. | They are hopeful of finding cures for diseases and genetic disorders such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and muscular dystrophy. |
| Free vote | Free vote |
| The government appears to be seeking a compromise over the bill after warnings that substantial number of Labour MPs are ready to defy the government. | The government appears to be seeking a compromise over the bill after warnings that substantial number of Labour MPs are ready to defy the government. |
| Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the government would seek an "accommodation" with Labour MPs allowing them to vote according to their conscience rather than on party lines. | Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the government would seek an "accommodation" with Labour MPs allowing them to vote according to their conscience rather than on party lines. |
| Tory leader David Cameron has urged Gordon Brown to allow all MPs a free vote on the issue. | Tory leader David Cameron has urged Gordon Brown to allow all MPs a free vote on the issue. |
| He told BBC London radio: "What he should say is 'this is an important bill... it does raise issues of conscience, so there should be free votes throughout the bill's passage'." | He told BBC London radio: "What he should say is 'this is an important bill... it does raise issues of conscience, so there should be free votes throughout the bill's passage'." |
| 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. |