Christian Groups Oppose 'No Need for Father' Embryo Bill

The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship (LCF) has joined with Christian Concern for our Nation in creating a short video to inspire churches and the faithful in the fight against the Government's draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill.

The organisations have called on the Government not to pass the Bill unaltered, saying if it does it will take Britain into "morally and ethically uncharted waters".

The Christian groups have written to every MP and peer in Westminster in efforts to make their concerns known and have also created an internet video for churches to show their congregations in services, in home groups and anywhere else the opportunity may arise.

In the LCF briefing received by the parliamentarians, the groups raised their concerns about inter-species and animal-human hybrid embryos. They expressed particular concern that the Bill is moving society towards one which says a child has no need for a father.

Under the Bill, the proposed licensing authority RATE may grant licences authorising inter-species embryo research when it is "satisfied" that use of such embryos is "necessary or desirable in the light of developments in science or medicine".

The LCF said it believes this language amounts to a "blank cheque" which can be used whenever, regardless of serious ethical and moral questions that will invariably arise as new research is proposed.

"We are opposed to the creation of any types of inter-species embryos, because their creation raises profound ethical and moral questions that strike at the very heart of what it means to be human. We believe this is man usurping the role of God in the created order," a statement said.

The groups questioned the necessity of the research, saying: "It is unclear why this research is necessary, especially in light of the fact that adult stem cell research is an ethically sound alternative that to date has produced 72 benefits in clinical tests.

"On the other hand, embryonic stem cell research has failed to produce any benefits of any kind. Furthermore, the future legal and social implications of the creation of inter-species embryos are unclear. Would such creations be considered human, animal, or both? What would God think of this?"

In particular, the Christian groups expressed their grave concerns about the proposal in the draft Bill to remove the requirement to take account of the need of a child for a father before fertility treatment services can be provided to a woman.

"We believe the regulations requiring that account of the welfare of the child be taken into consideration before allowing such services should remain, because the welfare of the child should always be a top priority in our society," the LCF said. "This proposed law again usurps the role of God and his creation design for us that children should be raised with a mother and a father."

The statement added that in considering the best interests of the child, "the central role that a father plays in a child's welfare should be embraced rather than rejected". It warned that removing the requirement of a father in the Bill would send out the message that fathers are unnecessary.

"Such a message is contrary to much evidence indicating that the father's role is crucial and complements the mother's role in raising a child," the statement read. "This Bill should unequivocally affirm that fathers are vitally important to children, and that children benefit greatly by having a father present."

The LCF and CCFON are deeply concerned that the Bill as it stands will encourage types of scientific research "that have thus far achieved little to no success, rather than encouraging alternative types of research that show far greater potential for benefiting the community at large".

To see the video created by LCF and CCFON please visit: http://www.christianconcernforournation.co.uk/ccfontv/