SPUC disappointed over “designer baby” decision

London, 21 July 2004 - The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has expressed its disappointment at today's decision by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to allow for the creation of embryonic children to provide therapeutic tissue for a older sibling.

Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, said: "We have every sympathy for Joshua Fletcher and his family. However, it cannot be right to create a child with the primary purpose of benefiting an elder brother.

"The designer baby may be allowed his or her right to live, but that same right will be denied to his embryonic brothers and sisters. These unwanted embryonic siblings could be flushed down the sink, frozen or used for experiments.

"Although one should do everything that is ethical to relieve illness and pain, it cannot be right to destroy human life like this. This unethical procedure undermines any benefit which could come from it."