What Has A Lords Select Committee Said About Stem Cell Research?

The Lords Committee on Stem Cell Research was set up to explore the issues of the various forms of embryo research. The report of the committee accepts that certain individuals do class an embryo as a human life in which case, no research which destroys the embryo can be permissible. It explains the argument regarding the embryo being given full rights of a normal human being, along with the theory that the embryo is alive and has a right to life. However, it concludes on the issue of the sanctity of the embryo by saying that, 'The undifferented cells form the placenta and the umbilical cord and, furthermore, they can divide to form identical twins...it is more natural to refer to these undifferentiated cells as a potential person rather than as a person.'

From this statement, it is safe to suggest that British politicians seem to take a gradualist position on this issue of human cloning and research on embryos. Indeed, the select committee has decided that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) can issue research licenses.

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