Scottish church minister says special status of human embryos should be protected

The Church of Scotland has expressed concerns over plans to dissolve the body in charge of regulating research that uses human embryos.

Ian Galloway, a senior minister in the Church, fears that more human embryos may end up being used in research if the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is scrapped.

A report out next week is expected to overturn the special legal status afforded human embryos after the Warnock report of 1984 and recommend the dissolution of the HFEA.

Under current law, scientists wishing to use human embryos in research have to go through a lengthy consultation process with the HFEA in order to receive permission.

Mr Galloway issued a call on Friday for the special status of the human embryo to be safeguarded and urged caution in proposed changes to the regulation of medical research.

Mr Galloway said: “At present, the HFEA considers proposed research involving human embryos, while research on animal embryos is regulated through other agencies.

"We are concerned that if the regulation of research on human embryos is handed to a more general body, the special status of the embryo recognised in law will be further eroded.

"This special status is a fundamental principle laid down the Warnock report, and prevents human embryos from being used in routine research.”

The General Assembly of the Kirk in 2006 approved a major report from the Society, Religion and Technology project which urged the government "not to weaken the provisions of the UK legislative framework on embryology, and to ensure that in any future legislation the concept of the special status of the human embryo be maintained and protected”.

The government-ordered review is due out on Monday.