Human Fertility and Embryology Bill
The work of the charity LIFE
|
Human Fertility and Embryology Bill |
|
The work of the charity LIFE |
|
Obituary: Dr Peggy Norris |
The debate in the House of Lords on the Human Fertility and Embryology Bill has been characterised by the applications of a three line government whips. It was used to defeat the so called "Hunt amendment", which sought to put in the Bill a provision that human embryos should not be used in research if the same result could be obtained in other ways. The movers of the amendment had in mind the recent finding that individual cells can be induced to go back to their embryonic state by a process known as Induced Pluripotential State.
Interestingly, shortly, after the debate scientists announced on the BBC and without waiting for any peer review publication, that animal/human hybrid embryos had been produced under licence in the UK. This looks like a contemptuous action, given that the issue is hotly contested in Parliament. There has now been a legal challenge put down about the way in which the HFEA licensed this . The whole question of how licences are granted now needs to come under scrutiny, not least because it is virtually unknown for any application to be refused.
On the other hand, the submission from the Guild of Catholic Doctors to the joint committee of Parliament drafting the Bill was very factual. Here are its conclusions.
"Memorandum by the Joint Medical Ethics Committee of the Guild of Catholic Doctors and the Catholic Union of Great Britain
We are opposed to the creation of human embryos, including cloned embryos and "cybrids" [ hybrids] for the purposes of destructive research and training
There is no good scientific evidence to suggest that "cybrids" [hybrids] are either satisfactory models for human disease or suitable sources of viable stem cells. Indeed, there is persuasive evidence to the contrary.
It is misleading to suggest that embryo research is of any immediate therapeutic use in human disease.
There have been no actual therapeutic gains from the use of embryonic stem cells. However, adult stem cells have been used successfully in clinical practice for years, the best example being bone marrow transplantation.
Adult stem cell therapy does not raise serious ethical problems and overcomes the problems of immunological rejection.
Adult stem cell research should be encouraged and financed.
Respect for life requires that science and technology should always be at the service of man and his integral development. Society as a whole must respect, defend and promote the dignity of every human person, at every moment and in every condition of that person's life."
This is followed by citing 163 peer review articles on stem cell research from international sources. For the full submission see www.catholicdoctors.org.uk
( Notes on a talk given to our branch on 2nd April by Mr Martin Foley, Chief Executive of LIFE in which he outlined its philosophy and service.)
The charity has now been in existence for 38 years. It upholds the utmost respect for unborn human life . Its initial service or "bedrock", continues to be the provision of a "safe space", for women with a crisis pregnancy. The service is also extended to men or older women who have experienced abortion or miscarriage. Support can be either practical or emotional, and delivered face to face or via a free help line. This takes about 1200 calls a month seven days a week 24 hours a day.
LIFE provides 32 residential homes for pregnant women or young mothers who are mostly between the ages of 16 and 25. Many are also victims of abuse and need personal support as well as help with the baby. There is no set time limit for this and in a world where abortion is on a virtual industrial scale, LIFE offers a personal service through this very human charity and through it promotes true choice for women who are often subjected to pressure to have an abortion.
An education programme aimed at school children has been growing too. Three years ago 20,000 children were involved but this has now grown to 50,000 a year. It promotes discussion of such topics as relationships, sexuality, abortion and euthanasia. Girls, in particular, are receptive and the program is aimed at empowering and increasing self esteem. Many children do not realise that two thirds of under 16 year olds are not sexually active. They are told that relationships should be loving and not abusive and that it was always possible to start again.
A fertility service based on the new napro technology is making it possible for women with certain types of infertility to conceive naturally. As a result 80 babies have been conceived but the technique needs to be better known and is so far only available in two LIFE centres. In some cases it has been successful where IVF failed.
In general, LIFE seeks to promote a culture of life and to change society's current outlook. The charity is aware that it could be better known and needs to enhance its staff by using external assessors and a nationally accepted 2 year training programme.
A "daughter" charity has now developed from the LIFE centres known as Zoe's place . This is a hospice for the under 5s with life limiting conditions. This is a separate charity and now has a hospice in Liverpool and another in the Midlands. Further extensions to other major centres of population are hoped for.
The talk was well received and followed by a lively discussion and a vote of thanks was moved by Dr Tony Blackman.
The death in Guernsey of Dr Peggy Norris brought to an end a remarkable life of a great Catholic Doctor. Peggy O'Meara born in Co Offaly studied medicine at University College Dublin and shortly after qualifying joined the United Nations medical team treating the victims of the concentration camps including those upon whom medical experiments had been performed. This was a life changing experience and convinced her of the importance of medical ethics.
Following the Nuremberg trials and the subsequent Declaration of Geneva, a secular reaffirmation of Hippocratic ethics, she joined Dr Karel Gunning a Dutch doctor in forming the British branch of the organisation The World Federation of Doctors who Respect Human Life. This was only one of the pro-life medical bodies that she joined or co-founded which included the anti euthanasia organisation ALERT. Human Life International gave Peggy another foreign outlet and like other veteran pro-lifers she was well known as a guest lecturer in Africa and elsewhere. Many times she caught the attention of the media and became a skilled and pleasant communicator with her lovely soft Irish accent. She also wrote extremely well and never wrote or spoke beyond her self imposed medical brief.
As someone who was not afraid to put her head above the parapet she joined many organisations including the Guild of Catholic Doctors and even took part in the fringe meeting of the BMA following the Bland judgement which led to the formation of the Medical Ethics Alliance, the only Hippocratic and multi faith organisation promoting pro life policies in medicine.
She was popular in her native Liverpool for another very good reason. She served the sick of Huyton, where she was in general practice with her husband Jim, for 25 years. Somehow she also raised six children one of whom survives her in General Practice.
What characterised this indomitable woman, was a willingness to speak out and organise, sometimes on a small scale and occasionally on a big scale with Britain's largest anti abortion rally. Above all, she never gave up trying to do what she could and earned much respect. In 1995 she was recognised by Pope John Paul II when Cardinal Hume invested her as a Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great. This honour was worn lightly and one wonders if others really appreciated what a rare distinction it was. She was amongst the first DSGs in the country.
She retired to Guernsey and her health declined and she died suddenly in a nursing home. A memorial service is planned for Liverpool followed by interment with Jim
A Happy and Holy Whitsuntide !
Dr Tony Cole Master