Human Embryo (Hansard, 24 April 1990)

§ Rev. Ian Paisley (Antrim, North)

I wish to present a petition on behalf of the staff, pupils and friends of St. Patrick's high school, Ballymena. It contains 511 signatures. The prayer is as follows: The humble petition of the staff, pupils and friends of St. Patrick's school, Ballymena showeth that we affirm that the newly-fertilised human embryo is a real living human being. Therefore, we welcome the statement in the Warnock report that 'the status of the embryo is a matter of fundamental principle which should be enshrined in legislation', and its recommendation that the embryo of the human species should be afforded protection by law. Wherefore your petitioners pray that the House of Commons will take immediate steps to enact legislation which (a) forbids any procedure that involves purchase or sale of 305 human embryos, the discarding or freezing of human embryos, their use as sources of transplant tissue, or as subjects for research or experiment, unless this is done solely for the benefit of the embryo concerned; and (b) forbids all forms of trans-species fertilisation. Your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby)

This is a petition in similar terms to that presented by the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley). It is from the members and friends of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Life Group. It reads: The humble petition of the members and friends of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Life Group affirm that the newly-fertilised human embryo is a real, living human being. Therefore, we welcome the statement in the report of the committee of inquiry into human fertilisation and embryology, the Warnock report, that 'the status of the embryo is a matter of fundamental principle which should be enshrined in legislation', and its recommendation that the embryo of the human species should be afforded protection in law. Therefore, we oppose all such practices as are recommended in the report which discriminate against the embryo or violate his or her dignity and right to life. Wherefore your petitioners pray that the House of Commons will take immediate steps to enact legislation which (a) forbids any procedure that involves purchase or sale of human embryos, the discarding or freezing of human embryos, their use as sources of transplant tissue or as subjects for research or experiment, unless this is done solely for the benefit of the embryo concerned; and (b) forbids all forms of trans-species fertilisation, and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc. That is signed by Michael R. D. Reeves of 6 Lyndhurst avenue, Grimsby, and by 493 other signatories from Grimsby.