Local MP at Forefront of Embryology Debate

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Southport's MP John Pugh received a huge vote of confidence from his fellow MPs this week, as it was announced that he was being put forward to serve on the Bill Committee for the most controversial piece of legislation in years - the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Dr Pugh will now play a key role in the scrutiny of the legislation as it passes through Parliament.

The MP was announced as one of two Liberal Democrat nominations to the committee during Monday's House of Commons debate over the bill. Dr Pugh has already taken an active role in prior debates on the subject, and has held meetings with representatives from all viewpoints, ranging from leading scientists to the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, with whom he has met several times with further meetings planned for the future. He has been consistently critical of the "lack of clear principle" within the legislation as it is currently worded.

Dr Pugh outlined his concerns that the scientific case for stem cell research was still ultimately theoretical, and that placing theoretical benefits above rational morality set a dangerous precedent. His speech can be viewed below.

The MP will continue to meet with representatives from both the scientific and faith communities, and said he was "delighted" to be contributing to "legislation which could define our countries moral stance towards scientific research for decades to come":

Commons Debate on Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill:
2nd reading, Mon 12th May, John Pugh


FreeVideoCoding.com

Get the full text of the speech here.

Those wishing to know more about the issues involved may find Embryology Bill: the key points on the BBC website useful.

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