The Church of Scotland has expressed concerns over plans to dissolve
the body in charge of regulating research that uses human embryos.
Ian Galloway, a senior minister in the Church, fears that more human
embryos may end up being used in research if the Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Authority (HFEA) is scrapped.
A report out this week is expected to overturn the special legal
status afforded human embryos after the Warnock report of 1984 and
recommend the dissolution of the HFEA.
Under current law, scientists wishing to use human embryos in
research have to go through a lengthy consultation process with the HFEA
in order to receive permission.
Mr Galloway issued a call on Friday for the special status of the
human embryo to be safeguarded and urged caution in proposed changes to
the regulation of medical research.
Mr Galloway said: “At present, the HFEA considers proposed research
involving human embryos, while research on animal embryos is regulated
through other agencies.
"We are concerned that if the regulation of research on human embryos
is handed to a more general body, the special status of the embryo
recognised in law will be further eroded.
"This special status is a fundamental principle laid down the Warnock
report, and prevents human embryos from being used in routine
research.”
The General Assembly of the Kirk in 2006 approved a major report from
the Society, Religion and Technology project which urged the government
"not to weaken the provisions of the UK legislative framework on
embryology, and to ensure that in any future legislation the concept of
the special status of the human embryo be maintained and protected”.
SIC: CT/UK