Protests hit Westminster over embryology bill
Campaigners from anti-abortion and pro-choice groups protested in Westminster yesterday before this afternoon’s debate on amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HFE).
The controversial amendments to be discussed include restrictions on the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos and stem cell research.
Groups such as the Pro-Life Alliance have descended upon Downing Street in support of restrictions on embryos created using genes from two maternal or two paternal sources and limits placed on the creation of savoir sibling and genetically designed embryos.
“We consider it one of the most anti-life bills to come before parliament” said Josephine Quintavalle of the Pro-Life Alliance, adding that tomorrow will be “a very sad day for the UK” if the amendments pass.
“[They are] so shocking and such an attack on so many traditions of human life,” she continued.
The chance of the abortion amendments actually being brought up this afternoon are virtually nil.
Anti-abortion MPs again tried to reduce the upper time limit on terminations.
Pro-choice MPs tried to secure amendments allowing abortion in Northern Ireland. With responsibility for the issue about to be devolved to the country, and virtually no chance of any domestic party trying to legalise it, today marked the final opportunity for campaigners to force it through from Westminster.
Pro-choice campaigners from Abortion Rights protested outside parliament yesterday.
“There is widespread obstruction and delay in trying to get an abortion in the UK,” said Louise Hutchins, Abortion Rights campaign coordinator.
“Forty years after the enactment of the 1967 abortion act, women shouldn’t have to face the common obstructions that they do today.”
