Bill fails to recognize the humanity of the unborn embryo, definitions critical, poor accountability OTTAWA, June 13, 2002 (LSN.ca) - Campaign Life Coalition’s National Coordinator, Mary Ellen Douglas, and National Public Affairs President, Karen Murawsky, made a presentation today to the Standing Affairs Committee on the proposed reproductive technologies Bill C-56.
In summary, Campaign Life Coalition told the committee that the problems of Bill C-56 are centered on three particular areas: - The bill’s failure to recognize the humanity of the unborn embryo - Clarification of the definitions within the bill are absolutely critical - There is serious lack of accountability in how the bill would be interpreted and applied and regulations changed in the future CLC told the committee that “The most obvious weakness of the bill is the lack of clarity in definitions. If definitions are not correct, or scientific, then the bill is flawed. The most obvious difficulty is the lack of a correct definition of “human being”.
The presentation continued that “The second important definition is that of “cloning technique.” ... “The really critical issue is that there are many forms or techniques of cloning ... All of these cloning techniques could produce a new genetically unique living human being. All of these cloning techniques should be banned and prohibited.” CLC is asking Canadians to immediately call their MPs about the serious deficiencies in Bill C-56 which may be voted on in the next several days. For the complete, three page presentation see http://www.lifesite.net/features/stemcellembryo/index.html