Embryology Bill

Today I am going to the House of Lords for a meeting which will discuss the subject 'What Price Life?' Parliament is in the final stages of debating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, touching on issues surrounding the sanctity of life, the definition of the family and the legalising of the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos. This is a real can of worms!

There are many aspects surrounding this subject, all of which are emotive, but all of which need decision to be arrived at after careful consideration of the facts. How easy it is to simply dismiss some aspects of this research, providing that they do not touch your own life. For example, the subject of so-called 'saviour-siblings', where a child is created in order to provide tissue and part-organs in order to treat life-threatening conditions in an existing sibling. If this does not directly affect you then the answer far simpler to arrive at, simply looking at it from a point of view of your conscience. Yet, what if the situation arose in your own family? What if you had a child that was threatened by a condition that was life-threatening, but that condition could be treated and even cured by the creation of another sibling who was able to provide for the cure?

Sometimes we can forget that the same God who has created us also gifts us with the insight and expertise to deal with situations that arise, so is it not possible that God Himself has provided the expertise in these instants? That's not for me to answer for anyone, for it has to be a matter of conscience and of prayerful consideration in order to arrive at a real viewpoint. All I would say is that nothing is as black and white as we often would like it to be. There are always areas that we struggle to come to terms with, struggle to understand, and struggle to divorce from pure emotional decision.

I certainly don't envy those who will have to make the final decision as they wade through the vast amount of both information and misinformation that they are bombarded with. Some of the factors are much easier to pass opinion on than others of course. There is the subject of the need for a father in a child's life, which is one aspect of this Bill. In my opinion there is no contest here, for every child should be part of a loving relationship with both a father and a mother. I suspect that the concept of creating children without regard for their need of a father is more to do with the vociferous rantings of the lesbian lobby than anything else. (Whoops! I've just passed a politically incorrect opinion!).

One of the effects of this Bill, if it is passed, will be, I suggest, to further undermine the family, and in so doing will further undermine people's relationship with God. In the so-called 'civilised world' that relationship is at an all-time low as a result of a society that has too much wealth, is too self-centred, and has scant regard for the needs of others in real terms. The argument may be raised that points out that people give to charities, but that is often the easy option. Putting a couple of pounds in a charity envelope to someone who has a monthly income the size of the average family income is relatively meaningless when it comes to judging real concern for human well-being. Ask the same people to donate time and the answer would be far different, yet if they did then the results would be more far-reaching as well.

There is such a great need for a change in people's mindset, turning outward to look at the needs of others rather than constantly seeking to gratify one's own needs. Speak to most people today and they will tell you that they are seeking happiness. Well, happiness can be most easily found through actions that are applied to improve the lives of others who are less fortunate or who find themselves the victims of some catastrophe that creates massive need in their lives.

Anyway, I shall look forward to today's meeting in London, and hopefully find that it will help me in my prayerful decision-making with regard to this subject.