Prime Minister has called MPs to use their vote wisely.
25 March 2008
The Evangelical Alliance has thanked the Prime Minister for allowing a free vote on parts of the controversial Human Tissue and Embryology Bill, and has called 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.”
Dan Boucher, Director of Parliamentary Affairs for Care, said he welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitments if they genuinely mean MPs are 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.
Media Contact:
Charis Gibson
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2117
c.gibson@eauk.org
Notes to editors:
The Evangelical Alliance, formed in 1846, is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK, and has a membership including denominations, churches, organisations and individuals. The mission of the Evangelical Alliance is to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation. According to a Tearfund survey (Churchgoing in the UK, 2007), there are approximately 2 million evangelical Christians in the UK. For more information, go to www.eauk.org
CARE is a registered Christian charity which seeks to combine practical caring initiatives with public policy on social and ethical issues. CARE campaigns, provides resources, undertakes caring work and brings Christian insight and experience to matters of family, education, media, citizenship and bioethics. For further information please visit www.care.org.uk
