I have 'blogged' on this before (http://chris-day.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2007/9) - the subject really fires me up.
Now Cardinal Keith O'Brien has waded in:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3597851.ece
He will speak strongly against The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill in his sermon on Easter Sunday, in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.
Good on him, I say. While I believe religion should never be a rallying point for warlike activities, I do think it should be used to flag up matters of conscience. It is a form of 'checks and balances', much needed in today's materialistic world. Anyway, he is entitled to his opinion and to air it publicly. He also has a duty of leadership.
Since when was science granted the right to ignore issues of conscience, respect, decency, morality and ethics? Those who support the Bill on 'scientific' grounds may not have been given the true scientific picture.
His intervention has really angered the government, who would of course like to see the prestige and financial rewards come to the UK.
There is a real danger that this very deep matter will be rushed through parliament in an unseemly fashion. A three-line whip has been used on previous hearings.
To quote page 2 of the above link:
"Normally, three-line whips are used only on key issues, such as when the Government faces a vote of no-confidence or a vital loss of tax revenue if a Bill is overturned. A free vote is traditionally allowed on issues of conscience.
There will also be attempts in the House of Commons – where the Bill will arrive any time after Monday - to use the legislation to liberalise the abortion law. The bill will provide the first opportunity for amendments to the 1967 Abortion Act in 18 years."
Other links on this topic:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7309191.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/06/nembryo106.xml
http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSL2159767320080321
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVCm1IKRz1TW5WM5XgEjwro6NRZA
http://www.secularism.org.uk/92534.html
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idarticle=14787
[Why not take a look at www.alternativevet.org , while you're here?]