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Sadness as Cloning Bill passes Queensland Parliament, 48:34
Festival of Light, Australia
Media Release:
12th October 2007
Festival of Light Queensland Branch Chairman Andrew McColl and his wife Susan were in the public gallery of the Queensland Parliament last night during the final eight speeches and the vote on the controversial bill to allow humans to be cloned for research.
"We and others were hopeful, after some of the earlier speeches, that the vote would be close and the bill might even be defeated," Mr McColl said. "But it was not to be - the bill passed by a clear majority, 48:34, with six abstentions. Most Government MPs voted for the bill although a significant number crossed the floor; most Opposition MPs voted against it.
"Many speeches were emotional and in our view, not based on the evidence. Jeff Seeney - Queensland Nationals leader who left senior members of his party behind as he crossed over and voted for the bill - said earlier he hoped that embryonic stem cells would find a cure for Parkinson's Disease which had severely affected his uncle. Others in favour of the bill made similar claims."
Geoffrey Bullock, Festival of Light Queensland state officer, said: "The reality is that adult stem cells are already treating over 70 conditions and are far more likely to lead to success in this area. If research funding is diverted from adult stem cells to embryonic stem cells - which have many problems, possibly insurmountable - it is less likely that a cure for Parkinson's and other conditions will eventuate.
"The bottom line is that cloning human embryos for research destroys tiny human beings. All of us were once embryos like these. By allowing humans to be used for research and destroyed, we have crossed a very dangerous line.
"Four years ago every Queensland MP voted to reject all forms of human cloning. This year over half of those same MPs did an about-turn and voted to allow human cloning for research. In a few years will our consciences have become so seared that we will allow human cloning for reproduction, and the creation of new human-animal hybrids? Will we vote to allow other vulnerable human beings to be used for research without their consent? Where will it end?" Geoffrey Bullock asked.
"We sincerely thank all those 34 MPs who voted for the sanctity of human life. But Thursday 11 October was a very sad day for Queensland," Geoffrey Bullock said.
For further comment, phone Geoffrey Bullock, Festival of Light Queensland state officer, on 0427 645 133.
Festival of Light Australia is a Christian community group promoting family values.
Website: www.fol.org.au
Mrs Roslyn Phillips, B Sc Dip Ed
Research Officer, Festival of Light Australia
4th Floor, 68 Grenfell Street,
Adelaide SA 5000
Phone 61 8 8223 6383
Fax 61 8
8223 5850
Email rhp@fol.org.au
Website www.fol.org.au
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