The Embryo Bill controversy highlights deficits in democracy

The government proposal to update the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, and expand the scope of embryo research to allow scientists to develop human-animal chimeric or hybrid embryos has received a vociferous response from the Catholic Church. In his Easter sermon, Cardinal O'Brien described the legislation as a "monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life," adding that it would allow experiments of "Frankenstein proportion."

The legislation has the support of the scientific community who wish to develop stem cell lines from the hybrid embryos for research purposes as a means to develop new medical treatments for numerous degenerative diseases such Parkinson's disease and heart failure. Currently, due to a shortage of donor female eggs with which to generate early embryos, research is being hampered as a consequence of a shortage of research material. The procedure will involve combining a human nucleus with an denucleated female animal egg cell using the same cloning technology that allowed the generation of Dolly the sheep.



As many MP's, including transport minister, Ruth Kelly, are devout Catholics, the original directive of the Labour Party whip has been met by strong opposition from front and back benchers forcing Gordon Brown to compromise and allow a free vote. Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the government would seek an "accommodation" with Labour MPs allowing them to vote according to their conscience rather than on party lines.



As with many ethical issues, the debate surrounding the Embryo Bill illustrates the uneasy relationship between the Church and the State in secular democratic politics. While it might be expected that MP's would vote in accordance with the party line, in provocative issues where a free vote is allowed should an MP not be expected to vote in accordance with the wishes of his/her constituents rather than his/her personal beliefs? Conversely, there are many examples where the party whip forces MP's to vote against their conscience and the wishes of their constituents such as occurred in the vote sanctioning the disasterous invasion of Iraq!



Islam was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) as guidance for mankind and provided a detailed system of life, the Sharia, to prevent human beings from oppressing each other and taking decisions on matters over which they have little or no knowledge . Under the Khilafah system, the decision to allow or prohibit new medical technologies or to go to war is determined by the Sharia rules and not the whims or beliefs of people, corporate interests, parties or lobby groups, as long as the Muslim Ummah ensure that its leadership adheres to and implements the Sharia completely.
----Anresta----