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Proceeding contribution from Geraldine Smith (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 12 May 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill on Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.


Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

They have said that they are puzzled as to why such experiments should take place. I sat on the Committee, so I know what they said. Those are their quotes, and if that is what they think and that is what they have said, the hon. Gentleman would have to ask them why they want the Bill to go through. Surely, the future lies in the development of ethically sound, adult stem cell research techniques. Finally, I wish to address the creation of saviour siblings for the treatment of serious disease, rather than just life-threatening disease. Deliberately leaving open the option for children to be created apparently for the sole and explicit purpose of providing any type of tissue for an existing sibling is appalling. What about the child's right? What about consent? That child has not agreed to be a donor, and it will not have the chance to do so until it is 18. I readily understand and appreciate the willingness of parents to do almost anything in their power to save the life or relieve the suffering of their seriously ill child. To be completely honest, if I were in that situation, I might want to do the same. The difference here is that we are legislators; we are supposed to make rational decisions based on the arguments. We should not put parents in the awful position of having to decide whether to create a child for the sole purpose of helping another child.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
475 c1099 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Civil partnerships Clones Abortion Blood Fertility Human embryo experiments Diseases Donors Genetics Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Ethics IVF Discrimination Foetal tissue NHS Medical treatments Screening Religion Sexuality Research Stem cells Christianity Human-animal hybrid embryos
Legislation
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HL) 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk