Short film explaining the draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill and action that can be taken available online.

Andrea Williams

At Christian Concern for our Nation/Lawyers' Christian Fellowship we believe that the Government will take Britain into "morally and ethically uncharted waters" via the Draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill if it is passed un-amended. We have written to every MP and Peer in Westminster with our concerns and have produced a short online internet video - for you to watch and also show wherever and whenever you find an opportunity.

In a LCF Briefing sent to MPs and Peers we have raised our concerns about inter-species/animal-human hybrid embryos, and the way the Bill moves towards a society which says a child has no need for a father.

Under the Bill, RATE [the proposed licensing authority] may grant licences authorising inter-species embryo research when it is "satisfied" that use of such embryos is "necessary or desirable in the light of developments in science or medicine. We believe this language amounts to a blank cheque which can be used whenever, regardless of serious ethical and moral questions that will invariably arise as new research is proposed. We are opposed to the creation of any types of inter-species embryos, because their creation raises profound ethical and moral questions that strike at the very heart of what it means to be human. We believe this is man usurping the role of God in the created order.

It is unclear why this research is necessary, especially in light of the fact that adult stem cell research is an ethically sound alternative that to date has produced 72 benefits in clinical tests. On the other hand, embryonic stem cell research has failed to produce any benefits of any kind. Furthermore, the future legal and social implications of the creation of inter-species embryos are unclear. Would such creations be considered human, animal, or both? What would God think of this?

We are gravely concerned about the proposal in the Draft Bill to remove the requirement to take account of "the need of [a] child for a father" before fertility treatment services can be provided to a woman. We believe the regulations requiring that account of the welfare of the child be taken into consideration before allowing such services should remain, because the welfare of the child should always be a top priority in our society. This proposed law again usurps the role of God and his creation design for us that children should be raised with a mother and a father.

When considering the best interests of the child, the central role that a father plays in a child's welfare should be embraced rather than rejected. Removing language in the Bill that refers to the need for a father will imply that fathers are unnecessary. Such a message is contrary to much evidence indicating that the father's role is crucial and complements the mother's role in raising a child. This bill should unequivocally affirm that fathers are vitally important to children, and that children benefit greatly by having a father present.

As currently drafted this Bill will encourage types of scientific research that have thus far achieved little to no success, rather than encouraging alternative types of research that show far greater potential for benefiting the community at large.