Pioneering embryo research divides Commons

May 13 2008 The Journal

DEEP splits among MPs over embryo research being pioneered in the North were exposed last night as controversial legislation cleared its first hurdle in the Commons.

The Government avoided a major rebellion as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was given a second reading by 340 votes to 262. Just nine Labour backbenchers voted against the Bill. But ministers will face a sterner test when the measures return next week and Labour MPs have a free vote on some of its most contentious elements.

Labour came under renewed fire for not copying other parties by treating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill as a conscience issue and giving its backbenchers a free vote.

Gordon Brown has already been forced to grant a free vote on the most contentious elements after a threatened revolt by Roman Catholic ministers, including three members of the Cabinet.

Hybrid embryos, the creation of “saviour siblings” and ending the requirement for IVF clinics to consider the need for a “father” figure could be removed if enough MPs oppose them next week.

But the Prime Minister insists the Bill’s overall potential to speed up research into treatment for conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease means it must be passed.

Scientists at Newcastle University have been at the head of research to use stem cells in treatments for a range of conditions, and are anxiously awaiting the result of the debates.

Fierce moral clashes are also expected next week over a bid by pro-life MPs to use the Bill to lower the 24-week time limit on abortions to as few as 13 weeks.

Bishop Auckland MP and Deputy leader of the Commons, Helen Goodman said she would vote against saviour siblings, saying a person should be created for their benefit rather than for someone else. But she expected the Government to get the Bill passed.

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland said he had no problem with the Bill, adding: “It is the future of terms of medical treatment.” And Stockton South’s Dari Taylor revealed that she had gone through years of medical treatment for infertility, but that doctors had been unable to discover why she could not conceive naturally. She added 20% of all young couples and women went through the same circumstances, but hit out at the “scandal” of insufficient access to IVF fertility treatment.

The Bill has been criticised by some church leaders, most notably the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who denounced it as a “monstrous” attack on human rights and dignity. In what has been an increasingly acrimonious debate, researchers have in turn accused the clergy of willfully misunderstanding the science involved.