The Human The Human Fertilisation and Fertilisation and Embryology Bill Embryology Bill

CMF Update CMF Update

Legislative TimelineLegislative Timeline

Abortion Act 1967Abortion Act 1967

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2008Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2008

Abortion Act 1967Abortion Act 1967

Provided immunity for prosecution under Provided immunity for prosecution under Offences against the Person Act 1861 for Offences against the Person Act 1861 for certain categories of abortion certain categories of abortion

Abortion on grounds of risk to mental or Abortion on grounds of risk to mental or physical health of mother up to 28 weeksphysical health of mother up to 28 weeks

Abortion up to term to save live of mother Abortion up to term to save live of mother

The 1990 HFE ActThe 1990 HFE Act

Human embryos can be frozen, Human embryos can be frozen, experimented upon and destroyed experimented upon and destroyed

Donor gametes legalised Donor gametes legalised

Door opened for preimplantation diagnosis, Door opened for preimplantation diagnosis, therapeutic cloning, saviour siblings therapeutic cloning, saviour siblings

‘‘Social abortions’ up to 24 weeks Social abortions’ up to 24 weeks

Abortions for disability up to term Abortions for disability up to term

Results of 1967 and 1990 Results of 1967 and 1990 Acts Acts

6.8 million abortions6.8 million abortions

2,200,000 embryos destroyed 2,200,000 embryos destroyed

HFE Bill 2008 – Several steps HFE Bill 2008 – Several steps further further

Threat to Threat to human dignityhuman dignity: : animal-human hybrids animal-human hybrids

Threat to Threat to the familythe family: : commodifying children and commodifying children and creating them fatherless creating them fatherless

Threat to Threat to human lifehuman life itself: itself: liberalising abortion law liberalising abortion law

The HFE Bill in the Lords The HFE Bill in the Lords – all amendments lost– all amendments lost

A ban on the creation of animal-human hybrids A ban on the creation of animal-human hybrids - - lost by 96 to 268lost by 96 to 268

A ban on the use of saviour siblings A ban on the use of saviour siblings - - lost by 62 to 180lost by 62 to 180

An amendment calling for the 'need for a father' for IVF An amendment calling for the 'need for a father' for IVF children children - - lost by 93 to 164lost by 93 to 164

Restricting saviour siblings to life-threatening disease Restricting saviour siblings to life-threatening disease - - lost by 121 to 162lost by 121 to 162

A ban on abortion between 24 and 40 weeks gestation A ban on abortion between 24 and 40 weeks gestation – – lost by 22 to 89lost by 22 to 89

The Hunt test – animal human hybrids only if no other The Hunt test – animal human hybrids only if no other way way – – lost by 42 to 197lost by 42 to 197

The Lords – Why did we lose so The Lords – Why did we lose so badly?badly?

This is a government bill and so has the full This is a government bill and so has the full support of the government support of the government

The major scientific and medical institutions are The major scientific and medical institutions are backing the government (MRC, Welcome, Royal backing the government (MRC, Welcome, Royal Society, BMA, Royal Colleges)Society, BMA, Royal Colleges)

Eight of the nine doctors in the House of Lords Eight of the nine doctors in the House of Lords back most of what is in the bill back most of what is in the bill

Those pushing the bill are incredibly well Those pushing the bill are incredibly well organisedorganised

The HFE Bill – What happens The HFE Bill – What happens now?now?

The Bill completed its passage through the House The Bill completed its passage through the House of Lords on 4 Februaryof Lords on 4 February

First reading in House of Commons 5 FebruaryFirst reading in House of Commons 5 February

Second reading (debates stage) in House of Second reading (debates stage) in House of Commons 12 MayCommons 12 May

Committee Stage with votes on ‘fathers’, saviour Committee Stage with votes on ‘fathers’, saviour siblings, animal-human hybrids and abortion on siblings, animal-human hybrids and abortion on 19-20 May 19-20 May

Time is very short!Time is very short!

The House of Commons – what The House of Commons – what hope?hope?

The down side The down side - Most MPs will not be well informed- Most MPs will not be well informed- The vote on the whole Bill will be - The vote on the whole Bill will be

whippedwhipped- The government has a huge majority - The government has a huge majority

and most are pro the bill and pro-abortion and most are pro the bill and pro-abortion

The up side The up side - Abortion, fathers, saviour siblings and - Abortion, fathers, saviour siblings and

hybrids will be conscience voteshybrids will be conscience votes- MPs are worried about losing their - MPs are worried about losing their

seatsseats- Public and media opinion counts!- Public and media opinion counts!

Animal-human hybrids – What is Animal-human hybrids – What is driving this?driving this?

Scientific curiosity Scientific curiosity

The biotechnology industryThe biotechnology industry

The prestige of the British governmentThe prestige of the British government

Patient interest groups Patient interest groups

The Media – especially The Media – especially The TimesThe Times

Animal-Human hybrids – Animal-Human hybrids – Why?Why?

To produce cloned animal-human To produce cloned animal-human embryos for embryonic stem cell embryos for embryonic stem cell research research

Cloning human embryos hasn’t Cloning human embryos hasn’t worked and harvesting human worked and harvesting human eggs is difficult and dangerous eggs is difficult and dangerous

Stem cells to treat diseaseStem cells to treat disease

Michael J Fox – Michael J Fox – Parkinson’s diseaseParkinson’s disease

Christopher Reeve – Christopher Reeve – ParalysisParalysis

Ronald Reagan – Ronald Reagan – Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease

Harvesting stem cells from Harvesting stem cells from embryos embryos

www.arhp.org

Animal human hybrids – what Animal human hybrids – what is proposed?is proposed?

‘‘Cybrids’ – cytoplasmic hybrids produced Cybrids’ – cytoplasmic hybrids produced by ‘therapeutic cloning’ using human by ‘therapeutic cloning’ using human nuclei placed in empty animal eggs (the nuclei placed in empty animal eggs (the only hybrids with any research potential)only hybrids with any research potential)

True hybrids – human eggs fertilised with True hybrids – human eggs fertilised with animal sperm and vice versaanimal sperm and vice versa

Chimaeras – Embryos comprised of both Chimaeras – Embryos comprised of both human and animal cells human and animal cells

Animal human hybrids Animal human hybrids

Unethical – crossing species Unethical – crossing species boundaries, violating kinds, boundaries, violating kinds, allowing end to justify means allowing end to justify means

Unnecessary – unlikely to work, Unnecessary – unlikely to work, ethical alternatives rapidly ethical alternatives rapidly becoming available becoming available

Human embryonic stem cells Human embryonic stem cells Harvest involves destroying human embryos Harvest involves destroying human embryos

Have been successfully cultured but no treatments so Have been successfully cultured but no treatments so farfar

No stem cell lines have been recovered from cloned No stem cell lines have been recovered from cloned embryos embryos

Grow unpredictably in culture and have tendency for Grow unpredictably in culture and have tendency for tumour formation tumour formation

Any treatments are 15-20 years off and therefore Any treatments are 15-20 years off and therefore embryonic stem cells are only being used in research embryonic stem cells are only being used in research

Embryonic stem cells – Embryonic stem cells – alternatives alternatives

Embryonic like stem cells (called induced Embryonic like stem cells (called induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS) can now be pluripotent stem cells or iPS) can now be produced by reprogramming ordinary adult produced by reprogramming ordinary adult cells (Yamanaka, Thomson, Nov 2007) cells (Yamanaka, Thomson, Nov 2007)

Adult stem cells already treat over 70 Adult stem cells already treat over 70 diseases diseases

Umbilical cord stem cells are already used in Umbilical cord stem cells are already used in treatments and are easily harvested treatments and are easily harvested

Embryonic stem cells are unethical and Embryonic stem cells are unethical and unnecessary unnecessary

Lord Winston – ‘stem cell Lord Winston – ‘stem cell hype’hype’

‘‘I was concerned that I was concerned that parliamentarians have parliamentarians have been convinced that it been convinced that it was just a matter of a few was just a matter of a few years before we would be years before we would be able to transplant stem able to transplant stem cells and cure a lot of cells and cure a lot of neurological disorders’ neurological disorders’

Lord Winston, BA president Lord Winston, BA president (5 September 2005)(5 September 2005)

Saviour siblingsSaviour siblings

Production of embryos using IVF techniques to Production of embryos using IVF techniques to produce genetically matched children to produce genetically matched children to donate tissue for transplant to affected donate tissue for transplant to affected siblings siblings

Govt plans to extend use from ‘life-Govt plans to extend use from ‘life-threatening’ to ‘serious’ diseases threatening’ to ‘serious’ diseases

Bill in its present form allows donation of stem Bill in its present form allows donation of stem cells, cord blood, bone marrow cells and even cells, cord blood, bone marrow cells and even part organs part organs

Harvesting tissue carries dangers for the donor Harvesting tissue carries dangers for the donor

Saviour siblings – problems Saviour siblings – problems

Production of saviour siblings involves destruction of Production of saviour siblings involves destruction of embryos that are not the right genetic match embryos that are not the right genetic match

There is a slippery slope from ‘life-threatening’ to There is a slippery slope from ‘life-threatening’ to ‘serious’ diseases operating‘serious’ diseases operating

It has only ever worked in a very small number of It has only ever worked in a very small number of patients and alternative treatments are available patients and alternative treatments are available

Children should not be used as a means to an end Children should not be used as a means to an end

The use of cord blood and adult stem cells will in time The use of cord blood and adult stem cells will in time make this technology redundant make this technology redundant

Need for a father for IVF Need for a father for IVF children – What is proposed?children – What is proposed?

No need to ‘have regard for child’s need No need to ‘have regard for child’s need for a father’ recognised for IVF children for a father’ recognised for IVF children

Removes choice over having a father for Removes choice over having a father for some IVF children some IVF children

Removes biological father from birth Removes biological father from birth certificate certificate

Fatherhood issues Fatherhood issues

Should parents’ rights eclipse children’s Should parents’ rights eclipse children’s rights?rights?

Research shows that children without Research shows that children without fathers are at a disadvantagefathers are at a disadvantage

Medical and genetic history will be lost Medical and genetic history will be lost Issues of identity – who am I?Issues of identity – who am I? Creates a legal fiction whereby the Creates a legal fiction whereby the

biological father is removed from the biological father is removed from the child’s historychild’s history

40th Anniversary of Abortion 40th Anniversary of Abortion Act – 27 October 2007Act – 27 October 2007

Abortion - Public opinion is Abortion - Public opinion is changingchanging

More than three-quarters of women More than three-quarters of women support a reduction in the six-month support a reduction in the six-month upper age limitupper age limit

Nearly two-thirds of the public want the Nearly two-thirds of the public want the six-month upper age limit reduced now six-month upper age limit reduced now

65% of GPs support a reduction in the six-65% of GPs support a reduction in the six-month upper age limitmonth upper age limit

Concerns about late Abortion Concerns about late Abortion

100 late abortions 100 late abortions beyond 24 weeks each beyond 24 weeks each year since 1991year since 1991

Recent case at 26 Recent case at 26 weeks for cleft palateweeks for cleft palate

Joanna JepsonJoanna Jepson

Down’s Syndrome Down’s Syndrome

3D Ultrasounds 3D Ultrasounds

‘‘Walking in the womb’ at Walking in the womb’ at twelve weeks twelve weeks

‘‘Yawning’, smiling and Yawning’, smiling and thumb-sucking at 20 thumb-sucking at 20 weeks weeks

Accessible moving Accessible moving images on ‘you tube’images on ‘you tube’

Fetal pain Fetal pain

The Abortion industry consensus The Abortion industry consensus denies pain perception below 26 denies pain perception below 26 weeks, but there are…weeks, but there are…

Hormones, reflexes and Hormones, reflexes and physiological changes at 18 physiological changes at 18 weeksweeks

Prof KJS Anand’s research Prof KJS Anand’s research suggesting sensation at 18 suggesting sensation at 18 weeksweeks

Neonatal survival Neonatal survival

The EPICure Study – 1995 The EPICure Study – 1995 shows survival at 23 and 24 shows survival at 23 and 24 weeks of 11% and 26%. ?weeks of 11% and 26%. ?EPICure 2 better at 24 weeksEPICure 2 better at 24 weeks

But in Centres of excellence But in Centres of excellence (eg. Minneapolis) 66% and 80% (eg. Minneapolis) 66% and 80% of babies survive at 23 and 24 of babies survive at 23 and 24 weeks weeks

UCL study published January UCL study published January 2008 shows similar conclusions 2008 shows similar conclusions

Abortion survivorsAbortion survivors

Stories of babies born Stories of babies born alive after abortion as alive after abortion as early as 16 weeks early as 16 weeks

Survivors testimonies - Survivors testimonies - Gianna JessenGianna Jessen

Health effects of Health effects of abortion abortion

Mental health – RCPsych Report 16 March says Mental health – RCPsych Report 16 March says ‘women may be at risk’ and ‘no evidence of ‘women may be at risk’ and ‘no evidence of psychiatric grounds for abortion’ psychiatric grounds for abortion’

Pre-term delivery – Increasingly robust data of Pre-term delivery – Increasingly robust data of a link between abortion and premature birth a link between abortion and premature birth

Breast cancer – A biologically plausible link Breast cancer – A biologically plausible link and some studies showing an association and some studies showing an association

The coalition The coalition Prochoice MPsProchoice MPsAbortion ‘providers’ – FPA, MS, BPASAbortion ‘providers’ – FPA, MS, BPASBMA, RCN, RCOG, BAPMBMA, RCN, RCOG, BAPM

The liberalisers’ agendaThe liberalisers’ agenda Retaining the 24 week limitRetaining the 24 week limitAbortion on request in 1st trimesterAbortion on request in 1st trimesterNurse abortionNurse abortionHome abortion Home abortion Excluding doctors who object from seeing Excluding doctors who object from seeing

womenwomenExtension of Act to Northern Ireland (some)Extension of Act to Northern Ireland (some)

Abortion - what we are up Abortion - what we are up againstagainst

The Media is waking up – last six The Media is waking up – last six weeks headlines weeks headlines

Babies ‘feel pain before 24-week abortion limit’ Babies ‘feel pain before 24-week abortion limit’ ((TelegraphTelegraph, 28 Jan), 28 Jan)

Survival rate soars for the babies born early - Survival rate soars for the babies born early - fuelling the debate over abortion limits (fuelling the debate over abortion limits (Daily Daily MailMail , 1 Feb) , 1 Feb)

66 babies in a year left to die after NHS abortions 66 babies in a year left to die after NHS abortions that go wrong (that go wrong (Evening StandardEvening Standard, 4 Feb), 4 Feb)

Women commits suicide after aborting twins Women commits suicide after aborting twins ((Daily MailDaily Mail, 22 Feb), 22 Feb)

Abortion – What we can do?Abortion – What we can do?

To To supportsupport amendments to HFE Bill seeking amendments to HFE Bill seeking– Lowering of 24 week upper limitLowering of 24 week upper limit– Lowering of birth upper limit for disabled Lowering of birth upper limit for disabled

babiesbabies– Fully informed consent for women Fully informed consent for women

To To opposeoppose amendments to HFE Bill seeking amendments to HFE Bill seeking– Liberalisation of abortion lawLiberalisation of abortion law

What can we do?What can we do?

Get informed Get informed

Sign abortion petition at Sign abortion petition at www.aliveandkickingcampaign.org www.aliveandkickingcampaign.org

Write to and/or visit your MPWrite to and/or visit your MP

Educate people in the churches Educate people in the churches

Pray Pray

Key things to ask and pray Key things to ask and pray for for

Defeat of the bill at second reading Defeat of the bill at second reading

Passing of amendments to neutralise Passing of amendments to neutralise bill’s effects bill’s effects

Courage for MPs, esp govt MPs, to Courage for MPs, esp govt MPs, to put their heads above parapet and put their heads above parapet and vote against bill and for good vote against bill and for good amendmenst amendmenst

Useful web addressesUseful web addresses

Christian Medical FellowshipChristian Medical Fellowship((www.cmf.org.ukwww.cmf.org.uk))

Alive and Kicking Alive and Kicking ((www.aliveandkickingcampaign.orgwww.aliveandkickingcampaign.org))

All Party Prolife Group All Party Prolife Group (www.hfebill.org)(www.hfebill.org)

Passion for Life Passion for Life ((www.passionforlife.org.uk/)www.passionforlife.org.uk/)