Members of Parliament Being Quietly Lobbied

LONDON, DEC. 4, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- The growing campaign against genetic
research on human embryos has forced ministers to conduct intense
behind-the-scenes lobbying of members of Parliament and peers, aimed at
persuading them to back the search for new genetic cures, The Independent
reported.

The government fears that moral opposition to stem cell experiments -- which
would lead to the destruction of human embryos -- could mean defeat in crucial
parliamentary votes that must take place before the end of next month, the
newspaper said Sunday.

Anticipating a backlash, which has been fuelled by Catholic bishops and other
campaigners, Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper and Lord Hunt, her
counterpart in the Lords, have written to all members of Parliaments and peers
setting out arguments in favor of giving the go-ahead to the research.

The two have also held private meetings with more than 100 members of
Parliament, mainly from the Labor benches, to present the case for passing the
new regulations on embryo research.

Labor Member of Parliament Gerry Bermingham said: "I hold fairly tough views
on this. The fundamental argument is when does life begin: If you hold the
view, as many do, that it begins at conception there is no way you can approve
embryo research; if you do not, then I can see the argument. But that is going
to be the row between the two groups."
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