A sad day

For those of us who believe in good science, balanced debate and above all the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, today is a very sad day, as MP Edward Leigh’s attempt to outlaw the creation of hybrid embryos was voted down by 336 votes to 176.

The BBC’s website epitomises the state of the debate. Its key facts page reads:

“What are the arguments in favour of this process?

Scientists who advocate the work say the cells would allow them to study how genetic defects, which cause diseases such as Parkinson’s, develop.

They also say that stem cells’ ability to develop into different tissues mean it could be possible to use cells formed in this process to cure diseases.

Using animal eggs would enable scientists to overcome the problem that human eggs are in short supply.”

Except

(i) There is NO evidence as yet in any lab anywhere that these claims might lead to genuine results. See here.

(ii) There IS evidence to suggest that reprogrammed adult stem cells  can  uncontroversially perform the same function anyway. See here.

(iii) There IS evidence to suggest that adult stem cells actually work (e.g. ovarian cancer, breast cancer and leukemia among many others) See here.

Again the BBC states:

“What are the arguments against?

Opponents say it is tampering with nature, and is unethical.”

But they omit the fact that there are obvious ethical alternatives that have shown far more promises results! This is the state of the debate in our nation over the embryo. The situation regarding evidence is so dire that our own secretary of state said: “I cannot think of a good experiment to do now but I am sure someone will think of a good experiment,” (see here). He’s not a scientist so I need to be measured, but it is telling those driving the bill can’t even demonstrate the potential for human animal hybrid embryos when pushed.

The BBC paint the picture by the pace given to the opposing position that objectors are simply unreasoning and illogical – that common sense has lost out to blind conviction. It seems to me the charge might be more accurately levelled at them.