Broon and the Hybrid Embryo Bill

Tomorrow, MP's will be able to vote on the new controversial human-animal hybrid embryo bill in Parlaiment. If passed, it would enable scientists to create embryo's of a half human and animal genetic mix, to try and help find cures for otherwise incurable and often fatal illness.

I'm no geneticist, so I can't personally see how making a half-human, half-cow embryo would be medically benefical, or indeed any different from many acts of procreation among some of the uglier members of the British Public. Nevertheless, it's thought to be vital by many, in developing stem cell research. Yet, it has come under severe moral scrutiny from Churches, and even some scientists.

Many learned biologists argue we have methods that are good enough already to develop stem cell treatment, and that we don't children with Udder's to fulfill this goal. Others claim it's a necessity, in developing various advances in cloning. Church laders call the move Frankenstien and it's easy to see why. It's not easy to reconcile the creation of wierd cross specical lifeforms, even if for research. It can seem taboo.

It's because of the devisive nature of this, that I think it's imperative a free vote is had. I just question Mr Brown's idea of a free vote. As, he believes, "MP's should vote with thier conscience's to oppose the bill if they wish, but not if it will jeopardies the bill being passed." Surely, if your conscience says no, you must oppose it? A token vote of objection is as bad as voting yes, when you know your not going to get is passed. To tell people who oppose it to "vote no" only if they can find two people to "vote yes" is simply wrong. It's token morality, which is doomed to fail from the offset, and thus, is surely immoral?

Still, it seems Labour has been in violation of the terms of this bill for a while. Brown's policies seem embryonic for certain, and all action he takes on problems at the moment is a half human, half animal mess, a frankenstien affair of appeasement aimed at a volatile electorate. I'd vote no, simply to give the Scot a taste of the the next few years to come.