Pro-Life Times: May 2005

5 APRIL: EUTHANASIA LEGALISED IN BRITAIN

by ANTHONY OZIMIC

Euthanasia by omission was legalised in Britain on 5 April 2005, when the House of Commons approved the Mental Capacity Act.

John Smeaton, national director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said, "SPUC has said all along that this legislation is all about killing vulnerable people. Now every mentally incapacitated person is at risk from euthanasia by neglect. It is sickening that government minister Baroness Ashton should say that this Act 'celebrates life'.

"However her remarks are not surprising when we see how pro-death policies -whether related to euthanasia, abortion or IVF - are now routinely presented as if they were pro-life."

Time limit warning on abortion

SPUC has warned against the dangers of welcoming a review of time limits on abortion, because many people think this is a pro-life measure. Lord Steel (architect of the 1967 Abortion Act) and Tim Black of the abortion providers, Marie Stopes International, are among those calling for such a review.

Mr Smeaton said, "Pro-abortion politicians are poised to exploit public concern about late abortions to make abortion even more freely available in the first few months of pregnancy."

Conservative leader, Michael Howard has said that 'abortion should be available to everyone', which echoes Lord Steel's call for abortion to be made more widely available in the early months and neither politician has proposed a ban on the practice of aborting disabled babies up to birth.SPUC is encouraging its supporters to interview candidates for the general election - with precise questions aimed at finding out how candidates would vote if elected, rather than relying on misleading media hype about their views. Contact SPUC's general election campaign on

020 7222 5845 or political@spuc.org.uk.

Giving life a chance

When Maria Formosa was expecting her third child, a detailed scan at 16 weeks showed a very serious heart problem in her unborn baby. Maria and her husband Ivan said "no" four times to suggestions that their baby should be aborted. Even before their baby was born they had already decided that they wanted major surgery for him and did not consider the option of leaving him to die. Today Jonathan is a lively two year-old.

"We really didn't expect Jonathon to survive, we just wanted to give him every chance for life. We would never have regreted our decisions whatever had happened. We want to encourage other parents, facing situations like this, to choose life."

The Formosa family live in Glasgow. Jonathan is pictured here right with his brother and sister, Duncan (9) and Nadine (7). Mrs Formosa is expecting twins in the Summer.

COMMENT

Michael Forsdike is 18 years old and works at Arundel Castle Racing Stables. His local church is now the famous Arundel Cathedral opposite the Stables... so not far to go. He worked for 6 months after leaving school as an assistant at the local school for the disabled in Hythe, his home town. He has been a member of SPUC almost since birth, thanks to his mother's involvement!

I work in the horse-racing industry and most of my social life is among young racing enthusiasts like me. However, many of my friends lack so much understanding and worse, lack concern, about pro-life issues. To me the sanctity of life is undoubtedly the foundation on which we base all ethical and moral principles.

I think young people do not care about pro-life issues, not only because of the scarce amount of information available to them on such subjects, but because of the culture we live in. It came as a shock to me that the majority of young women I work with seem to have the view that becoming pregnant was something they could choose to do, and it was simply another choice as to whether they remained so. When I challenged them about their attitude, they were dumb-struck that anyone could think differently to them. They had no sense of guilt or remorse at the fact that they viewed life with such complacency.

This derives, I feel, from the selfishness of only ever thinking about themselves. This has developed into their failure to put themselves in anyone else's place. They are therefore blind to the strong call we all have to be defenders of the sanctity of all human life.

The prayer below is my way of getting such people to challenge their self-centred moral choices.

Lord,

When we see the tiny limbs of unborn babies yet to learn their purpose,

Let us not think that they can be disposed of as surplus.

We cannot deny your little ones the chance to live and laugh,

We do not have the right to make that choice on their behalf.

Bless all our work to protect unborn children.

Amen

Political misjudgements cost lives

by John Smeaton, National Director, SPUC

SPUC has argued hard against the Mental Capacity Bill (now an Act) insisting that it should be opposed at every stage. Even if the Act does contain some good provisions, this was no reason to welcome a Bill which provides a statutory framework for euthanasia. It even requires doctors to perform euthanasia by omission in certain cases.

How many leaders in our country failed to oppose the Act outright for fear of being labelled "fundamentalist", "vitalist", "obstructive" etc? But if the Bill had been opposed outright as SPUC advised, it might have been possible to frustrate the promoters of the Bill. Outright and steadast opposition to the Bill might have aroused public and political awareness sufficiently to prevent the Mental Capacity Act from enshrining euthanasia by neglect in statute law. Now cases like that of Teri Schiavo will become routine in this country.

As the election looms, many prominent voices are calling for a review of the abortion law. But we must look very carefully at any proposals to make sure that they do not make the situation worse. The changes made in 1990 were hailed as reducing the time limit but, in fact, those changes increased the limit. There remains a big majority in Parliament in favour of establishing the practice of abortion on demand as a"woman's right" in the first 3-4 months of pregnancy. Once again, it's under the guise of lowering the upper time limit for abortion.

BRITAIN DEFIES UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION TO BAN CLONING

by ANTONIA TULLY

Britain is ignoring a recent declaration of the UN General Assembly which urges member states to ban all forms of human cloning "as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life".

Peter Smith, SPUC's representative at the UN, who lobbied in support of the declaration, said, "The international community has come together to declare that the sanctity of human life cannot be sacrificed in the name of the dangerous and spurious science of destructive embryonic cloning." However, John Reid, health secretary stated: "The UN declaration is non-binding and will make no difference whatsoever to the position of stem cell research in the UK; therapeutic cloning will continue to be allowed."

The extent of embryo research in this country has been exposed in a newly-published House of Commons committee report on human reproduction. Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's political secretary said, "Fatal discrimination and prejudice are at the heart of this report. Even if young embryos are not discarded because of their gender, they can be discarded because of a suspected developmental anomaly. This sends a shocking message to disabled members of our society."

The report questions the ban on reproductive cloning. Mr Ozimic commented, "We warned the government years ago that allowing the creation of cloned human embryos would inevitably lead to increased pressure to allow the birth of cloned babies."

SPUC is urging all political parties to reject this report.

Speed up abortion say new Government guidelines

by JOE KINGSTON

Aborting babies faster is a major recommendation in a recently published set of recommended standards to improve sexual health services in the NHS. Women must have abortion assessment, and receive "accurate and unbiased information", within five days of considering an abortion. The abortion should be provided within two weeks. The report urges local services to be organised so that abortions can be carried out as early in the pregnancy as possible and also wants arrangements put in place "to facilitate self-referral abortion services".

The new recommended standards were launched jointly last month by public health minister Melanie Johnson and the charity Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health (MedFASH). With funding from the Department of Health, MedFASH produced the guidelines with "a multi-disciplinary advisory group of experts from across the sexual health field".

Paul Tully, general secretary of SPUC, commented: "The list of those consulted is a who's who of the abortion industry. Not one group with any pro-life concerns was consulted. These guidelines were produced for and by the abortion lobby."

Mr Tully continued, "Fast-track abortions means increased pressure on women at a time when they are very vulnerable. Rushing women through abortions will leave many feeling they had no choice in the matter. They will then be left with the sorrow and pain of
losing their babies."

Lawyer condemns time limit proposals

by STAFF REPORTER

A leading pro-life lawyer has criticised recent proposals by Conservative leader Michael Howard that the time limit on abortion should be lowered from 24 weeks to 20. Robin Haig of the Association of Lawyers for the Defence of the Unborn has cautioned against supporting any moves of this kind.

"We must learn from past mistakes," said Mr Haig. "The change in the abortion law which came in 1990 arose out of a well-meaning attempt to reduce the time limits for abortion. The result of the change, however, was that abortion became possible in certain circumstances right up to the time of birth, something which had been completely illegal before. Not only that, but even the time limit of 24 weeks which was then agreed was an increase on the previous limit.

"Killing a child by abortion is no more acceptable after 20 minutes than after 20 weeks. We all want the law to be changed but in such a way as to demonstrate that abortion is wrong in itself, whatever the age or state of health of the child," concluded Mr Haig.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children also expressed itself as "very wary" of such proposals. It has questioned whether any reduction in the time limit would actually reduce the number of abortions, because the vast majority take place in the first four months of pregnancy anyway.

How MPs voted at 3rd reading of the Mental Capacity Bill

When MPs came to vote at the third reading on 14 December 2004, the government gave vague assurances that the bill would be amended in the House of Lords to address concerns about euthanasia.

The vote on 14 December was the key vote on the bill by the House of Commons. The Commons gave final approval to the bill on 5 April 2005, after it had been through the House of Lords.

The Act remains a vehicle for euthanasia despite the government's assurances.

MPs not listed here include the Speaker, Deputy Speakers and those who were absent or abstained. rh= RtHon

354 AYES (in favour of the Mental Capacity Bill)

Abbott, Ms Diane

Ainger, Nick

Ainsworth, Bob (Cov'try NE)

Alexander, Douglas

Allan, Richard

Allen, Graham

Anderson, rh Donald (Swansea E)

Anderson, Janet (Rossendale & Darwen)

Arbuthnot, rh James

Armstrong, rh Ms Hilary

Atherton, Ms Candy

Atkins, Charlotte

Bailey, Adrian

Baird, Vera

Baker, Norman

Banks, Tony

Barnes, Harry

Barrett, John

Barron, rh Kevin

Bayley, Hugh

Beard, Nigel

Begg, Miss Anne

Beith, rh A. J.

Bell, Sir Stuart

Benn, rh Hilary

Bennett, Andrew

Bercow, John

Berry, Roger

Betts, Clive

Blackman, Liz

Blears, Ms Hazel

Blizzard, Bob

Borrow, David

Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin)

Bradshaw, Ben

Brake, Tom (Carshalton)

Brennan, Kevin

Brown, rh Nicholas (Newcastle E Wallsend)

Brown, Russell (Dumfries)

Browne, Desmond

Bryant, Chris

Buck, Ms Karen

Burden, Richard

Burnham, Andy

Burstow, Paul

Byrne, Liam (B'ham Hodge H)

Cairns, David

Calton, Mrs Patsy

Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge)

Campbell, rh Sir Menzies (NE Fife)

Caplin, Ivor

Casale, Roger

Caton, Martin

Cawsey, Ian (Brigg)

Challen, Colin

Chidgey, David

Clapham, Michael

Clark, Mrs Helen (Peterborough)

Clark, Dr. Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands)

Clark, Paul (Gillingham)

Clarke, rh Kenneth (Rushcliffe)

Clarke, rh Tom (Coatbridge & Chryston)

Clarke, Tony (Northampton S)

Clelland, David

Clwyd, Ann (Cynon V)

Coaker, Vernon

Coffey, Ms Ann

Cook, rh Robin (Livingston)

Corston, rh Jean

Cousins, Jim

Cranston, Ross

Cruddas, Jon

Cryer, Ann (Keighley)

Cummings, John

Cunningham, Jim (Coventry S)

Cunningham, Tony (Workington)

Curry, rh David

Davey, Valerie (Bristol W)

David, Wayne

Davies, Geraint (Croydon C)

Dawson, Hilton

Dean, Mrs Janet

Denham, rh John

Dhanda, Parmjit

Dismore, Andrew

Donohoe, Brian H.

Doran, Frank

Dorrell, rh Stephen

Doughty, Sue

Dowd, Jim (Lewisham W)

Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth

Eagle, Angela (Wallasey)

Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston)

Edwards, Huw

Efford, Clive

Ellman, Mrs Louise

Farrelly, Paul

Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna

Flint, Caroline

Flynn, Paul (Newport W)

Follett, Barbara

Foster, rh Derek

Foster, Don (Bath)

Foster, Michael (Worcester)

Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings & Rye)

Foulkes, rh George

Francis, Dr. Hywel

Gapes, Mike (Ilford S)

Gardiner, Barry

George, Andrew (St. Ives)

George, rh Bruce (Walsall S)

Gerrard, Neil

Gibson, Dr. Ian

Gill, Parmjit Singh

Gilroy, Linda

Goggins, Paul

Green, Matthew (Ludlow)

Griffiths, Jane (Reading E)

Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)

Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

Grogan, John

Hain, rh Peter

Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)

Hall, Patrick (Bedford)

Hamilton, David (Midlothian)

Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE)

Hancock, Mike

Hanson, David

Harman, rh Ms Harriet

Harris, Tom (Glasgow Cathcart)

Havard, Dai (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney)

Heath, David

Henderson, Ivan (Harwich)

Hendrick, Mark

Hepburn, Stephen

Heppell, John

Hesford, Stephen

Heyes, David

Hill, rh Keith (Streatham)

Holmes, Paul

Hood, Jimmy (Clydesdale)

Hoon, rh Geoffrey

Hope, Phil (Corby)

Hopkins, Kelvin

Howarth, rh Alan (Newport E)

Howarth, George (Knowsley N & Sefton E)

Howells, Dr. Kim

Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)

Humble, Mrs Joan

Hutton, rh John

Illsley, Eric

Ingram, rh Adam

Irranca-Davies, Huw

Jackson, Glenda (Hampstead & Highgate)

Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough)

Jamieson, David

Jenkins, Brian

Johnson, rh Alan (Hull W)

Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield)

Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)

Jones, Kevan (N Durham)

Jones, Lynne (Selly Oak)

Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S)

Jowell, rh Tessa

Keen, Alan (Feltham)

Keetch, Paul

Kemp, Fraser

Kennedy, rh Charles (Ross Skye & Inverness)

Kennedy, rh Jane (Wavertree)

Key, Robert (Salisbury)

Khabra, Piara S.

Kidney, David

King, Andy (Rugby)

King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green & Bow)

Kirkwood, Sir Archy

Knight, Jim (S Dorset)

Kumar, Dr. Ashok

Ladyman, Dr. Stephen

Lamb, Norman

Lammy, David

Laws, David (Yeovil)

Laxton, Bob (Derby N)

Lazarowicz, Mark

Leslie, Christopher

Levitt, Tom (High Peak)

Lewis, Ivan (Bury S)

Liddell, rh Mrs Helen

Linton, Martin

Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C)

Love, Andrew

Lucas, Ian (Wrexham)

Luke, Iain (Dundee E)

Lyons, John (Strathkelvin)

McAvoy, rh Thomas

McCafferty, Chris

McCartney, rh Ian

McDonagh, Siobhain

McDonnell, John

MacDougall, John

McFall, rh John

McGuire, Mrs Anne

McIsaac, Shona

Mackay, rh Andrew

McKechin, Ann

McKenna, Rosemary

McNulty, Tony

MacShane, Denis

Mactaggart, Fiona

McWalter, Tony

McWilliam, John

Mahmood, Khalid

Mahon, Mrs Alice

Mallaber, Judy

Marris, Rob (Wolverh'ton SW)

Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S)

Marshall, David (Glasgow Shettleston)

Marshall-Andrews, Robert

Martlew, Eric

Meacher, rh Michael

Merron, Gillian

Michael, rh Alun

Miller, Andrew

Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby)

Moffatt, Laura

Mole, Chris

Moonie, Dr. Lewis

Moore, Michael

Moran, Margaret

Morgan, Julie

Morris, rh Estelle

Mountford, Kali

Mullin, Chris

Munn, Ms Meg

Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck)

Oaten, Mark (Winchester)

O'Brien, Bill (Normanton)

O'Brien, Mike (N Warks)

O'Hara, Edward

Olner, Bill

O'Neill, Martin

Öpik, Lembit

Organ, Diana

Osborne, Sandra (Ayr)

Ottaway, Richard

Owen, Albert

Page, Richard

Pearson, Ian

Perham, Linda

Picking, Anne

Pickthall, Colin

Pike, Peter (Burnley)

Plaskitt, James

Pope, Greg (Hyndburn)

Pound, Stephen

Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E)

Prentice, Gordon (Pendle)

Primarolo, rh Dawn

Prosser, Gwyn

Purchase, Ken

Purnell, James

Quin, rh Joyce

Quinn, Lawrie

Rapson, Syd (Portsmouth N)

Raynsford, rh Nick

Reed, Andy (Loughborough)

Reid, Alan (Argyll & Bute)

Reid, rh Dr. John (Hamilton N & Bellshill)

Rendel, David

Robertson, John (Glasgow Anniesland)

Robinson, Geoffrey (Coventry NW)

Roche, Mrs Barbara

Rooney, Terry

Ross, Ernie (Dundee W)

Ruane, Chris

Ruddock, Joan

Russell, Bob (Colchester)

Russell, Ms Christine (City of Chester)

Ryan, Joan (Enfield N)

Salter, Martin

Sarwar, Mohammad

Savidge, Malcolm

Sawford, Phil

Sedgemore, Brian

Shaw, Jonathan

Sheerman, Barry

Sheridan, Jim

Shipley, Ms Debra

Short, rh Clare

Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S)

Singh, Marsha

Skinner, Dennis

Smith, rh Andrew (Oxford E)

Smith, Angela (Basildon)

Smith, rh Chris (Islington S & Finsbury)

Smith, rh Jacqui (Redditch)

Smith, John (Glamorgan)

Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)

Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns & Kincardine)

Soley, Clive

Southworth, Helen

Spellar, rh John

Starkey, Dr. Phyllis

Steinberg, Gerry

Stewart, David (Inverness E & Lochaber)

Stewart, Ian (Eccles)

Strang, rh Dr. Gavin

Straw, rh Jack

Stringer, Graham

Stuart, Ms Gisela

Stunell, Andrew

Sutcliffe, Gerry

Tami, Mark (Alyn)

Taylor, rh Ann (Dewsbury)

Taylor, David (NW Leics)

Taylor, Matthew (Truro)

Teather, Sarah

Thomas, Gareth (Harrow W)

Thomas, Simon (Ceredigion)

Thurso, John

Todd, Mark (S Derbyshire)

Tonge, Dr. Jenny

Touhig, Don (Islwyn)

Trickett, Jon

Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE)

Turner, Dr. Desmond (Brighton Kemptown)

Turner, Neil (Wigan)

Twigg, Derek (Halton)

Tyler, Paul (N Cornwall)

Tynan, Bill (Hamilton S)

Tyrie, Andrew

Walley, Ms Joan

Ward, Claire

Wareing, Robert N.

Watson, Tom

Watts, David

Whitehead, Dr. Alan

Wicks, Malcolm

Williams, rh Alan (Swansea W)

Williams, Betty (Conwy)

Williams, Hywel (Caernarfon)

Williams, Roger (Brecon)

Wills, Michael

Winnick, David

Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C)

Woodward, Shaun

Woolas, Phil

Worthington, Tony

Wray, James (Glasgow Baillieston)

Wright, Anthony D. (Gt Yarmouth)

Wright, David (Telford)

Wright, Iain (Hartlepool)

Wright, Tony (Cannock)

Wyatt, Derek

Young, rh Sir George

Tellers for the Ayes:

Mr. Jim Murphy and

Jim Fitzpatrick

118 NOES (against the Mental Capacity Bill)

Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey)

Ancram, rh Michael

Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)

Baldry, Tony

Barker, Gregory

Battle, rh John

Beggs, Roy (E Antrim)

Benton, Joe (Bootle)

Beresford, Sir Paul

Brady, Graham

Brazier, Julian

Butterfill, Sir John

Cameron, David

Campbell, Gregory (E Lond'y)

Cash, William

Chapman, Sir Sydney (Chipping Barnet)

Chope, Christopher

Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey

Collins, Tim

Colman, Tony

Conway, Derek

Cormack, Sir Patrick

Cotter, Brian

Cox, Tom (Tooting)

Crausby, David

Davies, rh Denzil (Llanelli)

Davis, rh David (Haltemprice & Howden)

Djanogly, Jonathan

Dobbin, Jim (Heywood)

Dodds, Nigel

Donaldson, Jeffrey M.

Drew, David (Stroud)

Duncan Smith, rh Iain

Evans, Nigel

Fabricant, Michael

Field, rh Frank (Birkenhead)

Flook, Adrian

Forth, rh Eric

Fox, Dr. Liam

Francois, Mark

Gale, Roger (N Thanet)

Galloway, George

Garnier, Edward

Gillan, Mrs Cheryl

Goodman, Paul

Gray, James (N Wilts)

Grayling, Chris

Green, Damian (Ashford)

Gummer, rh John

Hammond, Philip

Hawkins, Nick

Hayes, John (S Holland)

Hendry, Charles

Hermon, Lady

Hoban, Mark (Fareham)

Horam, John (Orpington)

Howarth, Gerald (Aldershot)

Hoyle, Lindsay

Hunter, Andrew

Iddon, Dr. Brian

Jenkin, Bernard

Kilfoyle, Peter

Kirkbride, Miss Julie

Knight, rh Greg (E Yorkshire)

Laing, Mrs Eleanor

Letwin, rh Oliver

Lewis, Dr. Julian (New Forest E)

Lewis, Terry (Worsley)

Liddell-Grainger, Ian

Lilley, rh Peter

Loughton, Tim

Luff, Peter (M-Worcs)

McIntosh, Miss Anne

Mackinlay, Andrew

Malins, Humfrey

Mallon, Seamus

Mawhinney, rh Sir Brian

Moss, Malcolm

Mudie, George

Osborne, George (Tatton)

Paisley, Rev. Ian

Paterson, Owen

Pickles, Eric

Pollard, Kerry

Pugh, Dr. John

Robathan, Andrew

Robertson, Hugh (Faversham & M-Kent)

Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)

Roe, Dame Marion

Rosindell, Andrew

Roy, Frank (Motherwell)

Ruffley, David

Sanders, Adrian

Sayeed, Jonathan

Selous, Andrew

Shephard, rh Mrs Gillian

Shepherd, Richard

Smith, Geraldine (Morecambe & Lunesdale)

Spelman, Mrs Caroline

Spink, Bob (Castle Point)

Spring, Richard

Stanley, rh Sir John

Streeter, Gary

Swayne, Desmond

Syms, Robert

Tapsell, Sir Peter

Taylor, David (NW Leics)

Taylor, John (Solihull)

Taylor, Sir Teddy

Trend, Michael

Turner, Andrew (Isle of Wight)

Viggers, Peter

Walter, Robert

Watkinson, Angela

Wiggin, Bill

Wilkinson, John

Wilshire, David

Winterton, Sir Nicholas (Macclesfield)

Tellers for the Noes:

Miss Ann Widdecombe and

Ann Winterton

GENERAL ELECTION 2005

What are the key pro-life issues?

Abortion

Since the last election in 2001 some 800,000 unborn babies have lost their lives by abortion in Britain. Many politicians do not want their policies on abortion to be considered by voters and to become an election issue. Pro-abortion groups want to establish a "right to abortion" and remove the requirement for a medical reason for abortion up to 12 or 14 weeks. This will lead to increased pressure on vulnerable expectant mothers to have abortions.

· Present government policy promotes secret abortions on under-16s; parents are simply not told. Where does this leave caring conscientious parents?

· Liberalising the abortion law in Northern Ireland (where the Abortion Act does not apply) is a key pro-abortion objective.

· The abortion-inducing morning-after pill is now even more widely available. It can be bought from pharmacists in many places. In some areas school nurses or teen sex advice centres issue prescriptions for it.

In this abortion culture it is very hard for women - especially young women - to see that they have any other choices.

Euthanasia

The Mental Capacity Act enshrines euthanasia by omission in law. This means that vulnerable people who are unable to communicate with doctors and nurses are at risk from deliberate killing by neglect. In the bill "living wills" and "powers of attorney" are designed to create a legal obligation on doctors and nurses to withhold life-sustaining care, such as assisted food and fluids. So patients who would otherwise survive will die of thirst and starvation.

· Any family with elderly, disabled or vulnerable relatives could be affected by this law.

· Modern palliative care is the humane way to help people suffering from severe pain or in terminal illness.

· Doctors and nurses who want to care for their patients and not kill them will be unable to practise medicine where this law prevails.

· A leading pro-life doctor in Holland has said that all compassion has gone from his country since euthanasia has been legalised.

The creation and maltreatment of human embryos

The law now permits scientists to create human embryos in the laboratory, either for fertility

treatment or simply for experiments.

These human embryos are very tiny. Many people think that because they do not look like babies yet, it does not matter if they are used for experiments. However, it is wrong to use human beings like guinea-pigs at any stage in their lives, from conception onwards.

· Government experts, such as Labour Peer, Robert Winston, argue that creating babies by cloning is not necessarily wrong.

· British scientists and politicians want to make Britain the cloning capital of the world.

· Present government policy allows human embryos to be created specifically for experiments such as testing drugs.

· Embryos used in any research must then be destroyed.

Embryos can be tested for traits and disabilities. Those found to have any disability, as well as carriers of defective genes who are not affected themselves, are normally discarded and destroyed.

How the party leaders have voted

Tony Blair (Labour), Prime Minister:

Since becoming an MP, Tony Blair has voted consistently with the pro-abortion lobby, despite claiming to be personally opposed to abortion. His government has enshrined in law euthanasia by omission (denial of appropriate treatment and basic care, such as food and fluids, from non-dying patients). He has declared his personal support for destructive stem cell research on cloned human embryos and has endorsed the abortion-inducing morning-after pill among teenagers.

Michael Howard (Conservative), Leader of the Opposition:

Michael Howard has said recently that he believes that "abortion should be available for everyone", and his voting record and other comments on abortion are inconsistent. He has voted against euthanasia by lethal injection but is not opposed to euthanasia by omission. He has voted in favour of, and personally endorsed, destructive stem cell research on cloned human embryos.

Charles Kennedy (Liberal Democrat), Leader of the Liberal Democrats:

Since entering Parliament in 1983, Charles Kennedy has voted against abortion at nearly every opportunity. He has voted in favour of embryo experimentation but did not vote when Parliament approved destructive stem cell research on cloned human embryos. He has voted twice against euthanasia by lethal injection but voted in favour of euthanasia by omission by voting for the Mental Capacity Bill.