Abp Jensen disappointed Parliament rejected amendments to safeguard against exploitation of embryos

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, has expressed his disappointment at the passing of the Research on Human Embryos Bill through the lower house of Federal Parliament.

“While I restate my opposition to the bill itself, I am particularly disappointed amendments that would have strengthened safeguards against the exploitation of human embryos were not accepted,” he said.

“I am concerned that the Bill does not prevent the establishment of an embryo ‘production line’. Unless extra provision is made in the legislation, in three years time biotechnology companies will be able to create fresh embryos.

“I am also disappointed that the Bill allows for any type of destructive embryo research that is approved. The Bill was meant to provide for embryonic stem cell research only. This could open the door to abuse of human embryos for treatments that are not life-saving, such as for toxicology and cosmetic purposes.

“I have grave concerns about the proposed licensing regime. At present the applicant disclosure provisions in relation to the issuing of licenses are weighted towards those who have a vested interest in the biotechnology and Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) industry,” he said.

Earlier this week, Archbishop Jensen was represented at the Senate inquiry into the Bill by bioethicist Dr Megan Best.

“We see the central issue of this debate as the question of whether or not the Australian government is going to offer protection to human embryos,” Dr Best said.

“Either it is permissible to destroy human embryos in the name of science or it’s not. Whether the embryos are frozen or specifically made for research does not alter the basic ethical issue. We do not support destructive research on human embryos, not only because of our concern for the embryos themselves, but because of where this practice will lead our society. We are concerned about the harm we may cause to ourselves and future generations if we come to regard the early stages of human life as raw material for use and exploitation.

“We contend that the human embryo is just that – human. This is supported by embryology and agreed on by scientists on both sides of the debate. That’s why people want to use them. The question is not, are they human? But, how will we treat them?

“Our desire is to see the elimination of disease and suffering, but scientists have long decided the paths for research without much public scrutiny. Before we press on regardless, we need to consider the kind of community we want Australia to be and make the needed decisions to get there.

“We believe that good science is ethical science. We know we can advance regenerative medicine without destructive human embryo research. We urge you to resist the pressure to legislate that some human lives are not valuable. The preciousness of human life is the essential foundation on which all other principles of justice are built. Our society cannot afford to be cavalier about the treatment of developing human life. Doing so would coarsen our moral sensibilities and make us a different society. One less willing to respect all human life, and one more willing to transgress moral boundaries once it appears to be in our interests to do so,” Dr Best said.

CONTACT:

Jeremy Halcrow, Anglican Media Sydney
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