§ Mr. Norman Baker (Lewes)I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of Uncaged Campaigns, an organisation that is based in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan) and that opposes xenotransplantation—the use of animal organs for transplantation to humans.
The petition comprises more than 100,000 signatures, which I hasten to say are not with me tonight, but which have been deposited at Downing street. The petition states:
xenotransplantation …
- 1) carries the grave risk of virus transferal from nonhuman animals to humans, raising the possibility of the unleashing of an epidemic amongst the human population;
- 2) the likelihood of organ rejection amongst other complications, means that any recipients of nonhuman organs will suffer greatly;
- 3) ignores more sensible and effective approaches to promoting health such as preventative health measures and increasing the pool of human donors.
Furthermore we believe that treating nonhuman animals as "spare part" factories is immoral and inhumane.
§ I am pleased to present the petition accordingly.
§ To lie upon the Table.