Human Cloning And The Use Of Embryonic Stem Cells

EDM number 292 in 2000-01, proposed by Jim Dobbin on 05/02/2001.

That this House notes repeated assertions by Government Ministers in Both Houses that cloning and the use of embryonic stem cells may be allowed 'only if there is no other way of doing the research' 19th December 2000, Official Report, Commons, c214; regrets the manipulation of disabled people by some scientific bodies claiming that the only hope of finding cures for some diseases is through human cloning and embryonic stem cells; notes that the findings of Dr Ilham Abuljadayel that 'retrodifferentiation' enabling the creation of stem cells from adult cells has been replicated by two subsequent independent experiments, one by Professor Adrian Newland (Royal London Hospital Medical School); regrets that nonetheless Dr Abuljadayel was unable to have her findings printed in a substantial scientific journal in this country; shares the fears of Baroness Williams of Crosby (a former Science Minister) that this may have resulted from the 'scientific establishment' deciding that 'embryonic research is the way to go' 22nd January, Official Report, Lords, c51; calls on the Government to monitor research ensuring that no embryo is used where alternatives exist; assures honourable colleagues that signatories of this Motion will do likewise; welcomes the establishment of a House of Lords Select Committee; and stresses it must be adequately balanced to ensure proper investigation into scientific claims and will cover the whole issue including possible censorship of investigations which counter current dogma of the scientific community, as well as ensuring the production of human clones and use of embryos only where there is no alternative.

This motion has been signed by a total of 44 MPs.