Download PDF version of this page24/03/2008
Press release
Issued by the Catholic Communications Network
Archbishop refutes accusations on Human Fertilisation Embryology (HFE) Bill
For immediate release
Monday, 24 March 08
Archbishop refutes accusations on HFE Bill
Archbishop Peter Smith today refuted claims that Catholic Bishops had been misleading people on the HFE Bill. He called for a genuine debate on those issues in the Bill which go to the heart of what it means to be human and for all MPs to be given a free vote.
Archbishop Peter Smith, chair of the Bishops’ Conference department for Citizenship and Responsibility, said:
"On all sides of this debate there are many who agree that because some clauses in this Bill go to the heart of what it means to be human, there should be a free vote on those parts of the Bill. This is clearly not just an issue for Catholics. It is about the right of all MPs to vote according to their conscience on such profoundly important issues.
I do not doubt the good faith of scientists who seek to undertake basic research to cure disease. There are new exciting developments in research using adult stem cells that do not involve the deliberate creation and destruction of human life, or the mixing of human and animal life. The present debate focuses on the ethical limits of scientific research in the interests of the common good of humanity."