Stem cell amendment does not permit cloning of embryos

I WOULD like to underline that Kathy Sinnott’s letter (Irish Examiner, June 22) was factually incorrect.

The amendment I co-sponsored on stem cell research does not allow EU funding for research aimed at human cloning, which I would never support. Furthermore, it specifically precludes the deliberate creation of embryos for any research purposes.

So-called ‘supernumerary’ embryos, surplus to requirements for IVF fertility treatment, are the only ones at issue.

As these embryos, already in cold storage, are destined for destruction, I feel it is the lesser of two evils to allow properly authorised and ethically sanctioned research in the hope that, in the hands of our best scientists and doctors, treatments and therapies will be discovered for a wide range of neurological and genetic diseases, as well as serious spinal injuries.

I have given a great deal of thought and time to examining the moral and ethical implications of this area of research as the only Irish member of the relevant committee in the European Parliament — the industry, research and energy committee.

Last week’s decision on stem cell research — embryonic, adult and foetal — was a free vote taken by individual MEPs according to their personal conscience. The amendment I supported to allow limited stem cell research on supernumerary embryos, subject to stringent ethical conditions and subject to the rules of national member states, was adopted by the majority of MEPs in the Parliament.

As Kathy Sinnott rightly states, “the vote was not complicated, nor hard to understand”, but this is a very sensitive issue which should not be used for political capital.

Both sides of this difficult debate should be very careful of the language they use and avoid misinterpreting the other’s position.

Avril Doyle MEP

European Parliament

ASP 08F349

Rue Wiertz

B-1047

Brussels

Belgium