Reaction to Embryology "Free Vote"

Tuesday 25 March 2008

Reacting to the announcement today by Gordon Brown that Labour MP's will be allowed a 'free vote' on aspects of the "Human fertilisation and Embryology Bill", the Parliamentary Officer of the Catholic Church in Scotland, John Deighan commented:

"This is a belated acknowledgement that these are important issues of conscience but still leaves Labour MP's in a position where they may have to vote for something which they believe to be intrinsically wrong, since the 'free vote' only applies to amendments to the Bill so at a later stage the Government will still compel them to back it.'

Mr Deighan added;

"Ultimately the many deeply troubling aspects of this Bill remain in place and it is important that MP's consider carefully the implications of this extremely controversial legislation before they decide how to vote."

"MP's shouldn't vote for animal-human hybrids because they are scientifically unnecessary, we know that adult stem cell research has been able to provide over 70 useable therapies, which the Catholic Church supports"

ENDS


Peter Kearney
Director
Catholic Media Office
5 St. Vincent Place
Glasgow
G1 2DH
0141 221 1168
07968 122291
pk@scmo.org
www.scmo.org

Note to Editors:

1. An MP3 audio file containing John Deighan's comments is available for download at:
http://scmo.org/articles/495/1/Reaction-to-Embryology-Free-Vote/Page1.html