Embryos: we should not follow British lead

I’M sure most people will be horrified to discover that the British government has approved the creation of animal/human hybrid embryos for the purposes of experimentation. The embryos, when created, will be ‘99%’ human.

Only nine months ago, the British government refused to consider this on the basis that the creation of animal/human hybrid beings would be an affront to the dignity of the human person.

But as has been shown many times in many jurisdictions, once respect for human life is lost, what is acceptable scientific endeavour becomes more and more vague.

As is now standard from proponents of embryo research of any kind, it was argued, without any real evidence, that this type of research is necessary to cure a variety of illnesses.

I was in England in 1990 when such arguments were also used for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which opened the floodgates.

At that time, proponents argued that cures would be found for numerous diseases. Since then over 500,000 embryos have been experimented on and destroyed for various purposes and it is widely agreed, even by proponents of embryo research, that not one medical cure has resulted from such experimentation.

I believe the British model for respect for human life is not one that Ireland should follow. The Government should ensure that the rights of the human embryo are protected under Irish law.

Mairtin Ó Maolruaidh

Polkeen

Tuam Road

Co Galway