Fed: Anderson backs church concerns over stem cell research
Deputy Prime Minister JOHN ANDERSON has backed the concern of church leaders over theharvest of surplus IVF embryos for potentially life-saving stem cell research.
Church leaders yesterday urged a rethink on creating surplus human embryos, ahead ofa decision by Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD on whether they should be used for stem cellresearch.
The research will be a key issue at the Council of Australian Governments meeting tomorrow,but Sydney's Anglican Archbishop Dr PETER JENSEN has compared it to the experiments ofwartime Nazi doctors.
Mr ANDERSON -- a committed Christian -- says he backs the concern of church leadersthat stem cell research risks creating human embryos purely for their commercial potential.
Mr ANDERSON told ABC radio that he believes Australia's already on the slippery slopeto a more utilitarian view of life where embryos are sacrificed for the benefit of others.
While admitting he falls on the conservative side of the debate, Mr ANDERSON says hebelieves western societies are going too far in their pursuit to extend human lifespans.
But he says he'd support a conscience vote among coalition MPs on the issue -- somethingLabor has already decided upon.
AAP RTV rft/aa/jas
KEYWORD: STEMCELL ANDERSON (CANBERRA)
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