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Proceeding contribution from David Burrowes (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Monday, 19 May 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords].


Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]

Before moving on to saviour siblings, I would like to deal with the amendments in the name of the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris), including amendments Nos. 24 to 28, which would significantly widen the embryo testing provisions from a situation where there is a risk of a gene chromosome of mitochondrian abnormality to cases where there is a risk from a harmful genotype or any other harmful gene. One has to raise the question of what a harmful gene or chromosome is. How is harmful defined? To whom is it harmful—a society that cannot tolerate disease? My concern about the amendments, and the Bill itself, is the value we put on life, and whether we seek to focus on the quality of life and make the judgment that some lives are more valued than others. I am particularly concerned about that lack of definition in the amendments.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
476 c92 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Children Clones Animals Congenital abnormalities Fertility Licensing Human embryo experiments Diseases Donors Genetics Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Ethics IVF Foetal tissue Medical treatments Relatives Research Stem cells Human-animal hybrid embryos
Legislation
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HL) 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk