Church in saviour siblings dilemma

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Science can tell us what is possible but it is up to individuals to decide what is right, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said ahead of the second reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Dr Rowan Williams said he welcomes the opportunity for "further serious debate" on the "difficult issues" raised in the Bill.

The opportunity to create "so-called 'saviour siblings'" to help those suffering serious illnesses was "one of the most poignantly difficult areas in the whole discussion," he wrote in the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

Dr Williams said a better understanding of the science involved would help people to make up their minds about some of the issues, but added: "Science in itself is never going to be able to tell us what the right thing is for us to do. It can only tell us what is possible."

He said most people agree that it is morally wrong to use someone else for your own purposes.

"So we condemn rape, torture and blackmail. We don't allow experiments on people's bodies or minds without their consent. And we don't breed human individuals to create a pool of organs that could be transplanted to save the lives of others."

He said non-reproductive cloning raises worries about babies created as 'saviour siblings' with the intention of using their genetic material to help a seriously ill or disabled brother or sister."

He said we are not bound to think of "primitive embryonic material" as a person, but added: "We can't lose sight of the fact that this organic unit is a potential person, and the decisions we make about it are decisions about possible human and personal futures."

He said this was why he welcomed pressure to reduce the time limit for abortions.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he will allow Labour MPs - like those in opposition - a free vote on some of the issues in the Bill.

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