Now is the time to draw the line
A public information meeting on the HFE (Human Fertilisation and Embryology) Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will be held at The Spires Centre, Belfast on Thursday 31st January 2008 at 7.30pm. The list of speakers will include David Alton, and the Rt Revd Harold Miller, Bishop of Down & Dromore will also be taking part. The HFE Bill debate, which opened in the House of Lords in November 2007, will be passed through to the Commons in February. Proposed amendments have already been defeated in the Lords, but it is still possible to make a difference when the Bill is handed over to the House of Commons.
The Lords has decided to:
Legalise the creation of animal-human hybrid embryos
Remove the ‘need for a father' in IVF treatment
Permit embryos to be selected to become ‘saviour siblings' and the remaining embryos to be discarded.
The public meeting in Belfast is part of the ‘Now is the time to draw the line' tour, which is a joint initiative with Ann Widdecombe MP, CARE, Life and Right to Life. Nola Leach, Head of Public Affairs with CARE will host the evening in Belfast and there will be a panel to answer questions. Representatives from the various political parties are also expected to attend. The ‘tour' information evenings are being held during January and February in the major UK cities.
Admission is free and individuals and church groups are invited to come along and join in what will be a very worthwhile evening.