Embryo debate delayed until autumn
Embryo debate delayed until autumn
2008-07-11Newsfeed
A debate planned for next week looking at legislation to widen the scope of embryo research has been put off for at least three months, MPs have been told.
A debate planned for next week looking at legislation to widen the scope of embryo research has been put off for at least three months, MPs have been told.
The Commons was set for a major showdown when the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill's final stages were due to be debated by MPs.
Some were going to table amendments to make a fresh bid to cut the 24-week time limit allowed for abortions while others wanted to make it easier for women to have them.
But Commons Leader Harriet Harman said "difficult decisions" had been made and the "flagship" Government Bill would now be debated in the autumn to allow more time for debate.
Theresa May, for the Tories, demanded reassurances the decision to move had "nothing whatsoever to do with the forthcoming Glasgow East by-election".
In May, a cross-party bid to ban the use of hybrid human-animal embryos for scientific research was rejected on a free vote, and a move to ban the creation of so-called "saviour siblings" genetically matched to help treat a sick older brother or sister was also defeated.
Three Roman Catholic Cabinet ministers - Defence Secretary Des Browne, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy - voted in favour of the unsuccessful attempt to ban hybrids.
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
