Brown allows partial free vote on embryology Bill

|PIC1|Gordon Brown has allowed Labour MPs a free vote on proposed legislation that would clear the way for research into hybrid embryos following fierce criticism from church leaders and a number of politicians who say MPs should be allowed to vote according to their conscience.

Conservative and Lib Dem leaders indicated previously that they would withdraw their party whips when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill comes before the House of Commons, whilst the Prime Minister had until Tuesday refused to allow Labour MPs a free vote.

They will now be free to vote on three controversial parts of the legislation relating to fertility research, part-human part-animal "hybrid" embryos and the creation of "saviour siblings" - children created to aid the treatment of a sick brother or sister.

Last week, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien called research into hybrid embryos "a monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life".

According to newspaper reports, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, both Catholics, had voiced concern over areas of the legislation.

Mr Brown said on Tuesday that the legislation would allow research that could potentially lead to life-saving cures and treatments.

"I have always said that although I attach huge importance to this legislation, in saving lives and helping to cure and treat diseases, that we will respect the conscience of every MP as they decide how to cast their vote on this," he said.

The Evangelical Alliance thanked the Prime Minister for allowing a free vote on parts of the controversial Human Tissue and Embryology Bill, but called on MPs to use their vote wisely.

Dr David Muir, Director of Public Policy at the Evangelical Alliance, said: "I would like to thank Gordon Brown for recognising the crucial relationship between ethics and science in this important debate by allowing a free vote.

"We now hope MPs will use their votes wisely to further the needs of patients, rather than merely to further the interests of some scientists."

Dr Justin Thacker, Head of Theology at the Alliance and a medical doctor, said: "Years of embryonic research to date have produced very few tangible benefits for those suffering from the relevant medical conditions.

"In contrast, adult stem cell research has shown significant promise without the ethical complications.

"It's remarkable that those who claim to put the patient first have placed so much emphasis on legalising further embryonic research, which at present can hardly be justified."

Church of England clergy also waded into the row over a free vote earlier in the week. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, called the Bill immoral and stressed that "no one party has a monopoly on morality". The Free Church of Scotland's magazine, meanwhile, carried a major article by Dr Calum MacKellar of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics in which he called Britain a "rogue state" for potentially heading down the "dangerous new road" of research into animal-human embryos.

Dan Boucher, Director of Parliamentary Affairs for Care, said that he welcomed the Prime Minister's commitments if they genuinely meant MPs would be free to vote in any direction according to their conscience.

"Contrary to some media reports over the weekend the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is not only a matter of concern for Catholics, it is also a matter of very serious concern for many Protestants, including most evangelicals," he said.

Scientists say the Bill would keep Britain at the forefront of embryo research and overcome the present shortage of embryos needed to make stem cells for research into cures for a range of illnesses, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease.