The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill
Paul Culatto (A medical student and member of King’s Church shares his concerns about the HFE bill.
So what will happen if the HFE Bill is passed?
The HFE bill presents 3 main threats to the sanctity of life and God’s created order. It will legalise the creation of:
- Animal Human Hybrids – mixing of animal and human DNA within cells, a threat to human dignity and transgression of God’s design. This type of research using embryos is unethical and unnecessary. A better way using (ethical) adult stem research has produced over 70 therapies whilst embryonic stem cell research none.
- Fatherless families – removing the need for a father for IVF treatment. Research shows children with fathers in stable families are healthier, happier and do better in education and employment. It is also the way God intended families to be.
- Saviour siblings – where a child is chosen to be born basis of its genetics e.g. he/she has the same type of tissue needed to cure an older sick sibling who requires a bone marrow transplant. This would commodify children and make them a means to an end. This bill also opens up the 1967 Abortion act for amendment. The UK currently has among the highest prevalence of abortion in Europe, one in four pregnancies currently ends in abortion. Several MPs have laid amendments for the upper limit of abortion (currently 24 weeks) to be reduced and for women to receive thorough counseling beforehand.
How close is this bill to becoming legal?
Very! It has already passed through the House of Lords and two stages at the House of Commons. What is essentially the final vote on ethical issues contained within this bill is Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th May. There will be a final third reading, but all Labour MPs will then be whipped (forced to vote in a particular way) for the bill to be passed, which guarantees the bill will become legal.
What can I do?
Please pray! We need to ask the Lord to show mercy on our nation as we have departed from living under the Lordship of Christ and rebelled against the way God intended for us to live. Please also pray:
- For the voting on Monday and Tuesday (each of the ethically controversial parts are voted on individually) – that the bill would not go through in its current format.
- The abortion law would be tightened, thus reducing the number abortions.
- Labour MPs to bold and vote according to their conscience and not party policy.
If you can e-mail your MP please ask them to vote against this bill next week and also at the third reading. More information on how and what to write can be found here.
