Life Issues

HFEA Egg Donation Consultation

The Evangelical Alliance has responded to a consultation by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on egg donation for scientific research. The Alliance is particularly concerned about the medical risks to women who donate their eggs and the question of financial inducement.

Download a copy of our response to the HFEA, submitted in December 2006.

Euthanasia

The Select Committee Report for Lord Joffe’s new Euthanasia Bill was debated on Monday 10th October 2005. The Evangelical Alliance continue to watch to situation as it develops. The debate on the House of Lords’ Select Committee report on Lord Joffe’s Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill took place on 10th October. There was no vote on the day of the debate but the arguments put forward will play a major part in determining future events.

It is expected that Lord Joffe will shortly introduce a revised Bill attempting to legalise euthanasia along the lines of the model that is legal in the American state of Oregon, which would allow physician assisted suicides (PAS) but not euthanasia. The whole process of passing the Bill could happen in a matter of months and the best chance of defeating the Bill is in the House of Lords. Joel Edwards and a number of other national faith leaders have written an open letter to the House of Lords opposing the Bill and stating the case against the Bill.

At the debate on Monday the 10th of October there were calls to draw clear distinction between assistance with suicide and voluntary euthanasia. Lord Joffe’s draft Bill allows both for assistance with suicide and voluntary euthanasia to be legalised. However, speakers in the House seemed to be more in favour of physician assisted suicides (PAS) than euthanasia. Others are not convinced as one does not lead to the other.

'Care not Killing'

'Care not Killing' is a new UK based alliance. It is a coalition that brings together organisations and individuals both to campaign for more and better palliative care and to oppose any change in the law. Currently euthanasia in the UK remains illegal.

'Care not Killing' seeks to attract broad support from the medical profession and allied health services as well as society at large from those who are united in opposition to the implementation of changes in law that would allow euthanasia to be effectively legalised.

The new coalition was officially launched on 13th December 2005. The Evangelical Alliance is a key member of the 'Care not Killing' steering group.

To watch a 2 minute debate on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide please click  here.

For further information please consult Christian Medical Fellowship website and the Care not Killing website.

Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying Bill has its second reading in the House of Lords on 12 May. 'The Care Not Killing' alliance presented a petition with over 100,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street. There was also a protest outside the House of Lords attended by hundreds of opponents of the Bill.  

Peers voted by 148 to 100 for Lord Carlisle's amendment. This amendment has led to the Bill being delayed for six months which effectively kills the Bill, as the current Parliamentary session will almost certainly have ended.

Please consider joining the 'Care not Killing' alliance by going to their website www.carenotkilling.org Although it would appear the prospect of legalised killing has receded for now, it will almost certainly return in the near future and concerned people must remain vigilant.

View photos of the 'Care not Killing' campaign at the Houses of Parliament on May 12 2006

'Alive and Kicking'

Since the law to legalise abortion was passed in 1967 abortion numbers in the UK have tripled and continue to rise. The cumulative total of aborted babies so far is over is 6.2 million. The Evangelical Alliance is a major supporter of 'Alive and Kicking', a campaign in defence of the unborn child. The campaign seeks to halve the number of abortions that occur in the UK every year by reducing the upper age limit for abortions.

For more information about the campaign and how to join it please consult the Alive and Kicking website