Lords debating bill which would extend killing of young humans

London, 15 January 2008 - A UK government bill which would consolidate and extend the killing and abuse of early human life is again being debated in the House of Lords. John Smeaton, SPUC's national director, said: "The Government seem determined to ram the Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill through the House of Lords quickly, and have only allocated two days for this Report stage.

"The Government have tabled amendments aimed at making the bill sound better and at the same time trying to reduce any opposition to its main provisions. Anti-life Peers have also tabled some amendments to extend even further the scope of destructive embryo experimentation. In addition, some Peers have tabled amendments seeking to remove or ameliorate some aspects. Unfortunately, the bill is so fundamentally flawed, no amendments can make it ethical.

"Whatever amendments may be agreed, pro-life supporters should lobby parliamentarians to urge them to oppose the bill in principle and as a whole, in particular by voting against the bill at the later, crucial stages of Third Reading in the House of Lords and at Second and Third Readings in the House of Commons."

No date has yet been announced for Third Reading.