BRITAIN: What does the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Bill involve?It is designed to update legislation on assisted reproduction and the use of embryos in scientific research and therapy.
Specifically, it will regulate the use of embryos, ban couples from selecting the sex of their baby, except for health reasons, and legislate for "inter-species" embryos created from human and animal genetic material. If passed, the Bill will also make it easier for lesbian couples to have children using IVF, making it possible to name same-sex couples as the legal parents of a child. It will remove the requirement for IVF clinics to consider the "need for a father" when taking account of the welfare of a child in providing IVF. MPs are also planning to introduce an amendment to reduce the upper limit for abortions for social reasons from 24 to 20 weeks.
Why is it regarded as so important to science?
Supporters of the Bill believe that the creation of human-animal embryos could help scientists find cures for diseases including multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's. Research and technology have progressed markedly since the UK's Human Embryology Act of 1990 and experts say the law needs updating to reflect those changes if medical breakthroughs are to occur.
Who backs it?
The British government is imposing a three-line whip over the Bill and gay rights protesters and many scientists are in favour of the proposed changes. The Government insists that the proposals regarding same-sex couples merely extend parenting rights already available to heterosexual couples.
Who is against it?
Religious leaders, particularly in the Catholic Church, have attacked many elements of the Bill, and some members of the cabinet, including Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy, are thought to oppose parts of it.
The Catholic Church has said that it particularly objects to the use of animal-human embryos, known as "chimeras", because it believes that a fertilised embryo should be regarded as human and should not be destroyed or terminated. Catholics and Church of England figures such as the Archbishop of York criticise the removal of the "need for a father" from existing IVF legislation. They say that this undermines the role of fathers and of family. Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer, last year reportedly told a parliamentary select committee that some scientists "felt a degree of repugnance" on some aspects of the Bill.
What is the Bill's timetable
The Bill originated in the House of Lords and has progressed to the House of Commons, where a second reading has yet to take place. It will need to be debated and agreed by both houses of parliament and receive royal assent before it can become law. The health department said it expected the law would come into force early in 2009.
- (PA)