LONDON, July 15, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A dossier revealing that dozens of the British Government’s most influential advisers have close links to biotech firms and drug corporations, has environmental activists and some Ministers concerned. Moreover, pro-life leaders are concerned that it was such biased advice that led the UK to adopt one of the world’s most permissive laws regarding humane embryo research and cloning. The dossier, obtained by the UK paper, The Observer, reveals “for the first time the extent of the close connections between big business and scientists hired to give independent advice to Ministers.” The Observer reports that confidential documents disclose that former Environment Minister Michael Meacher and Food and Farming Minister Lord Whitty, were deeply concerned that scientists with industry links were dominating committees. Meacher told The Observer: “These committees are absolutely critical. They give definitive advice which Ministers at their peril seek to overturn. I constantly argued that nobody with significant commercial links should be allowed to sit on these bodies. It is vital they are truly independent.” See the report from The Observer at: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,997205,00.html