Why UK vote to allow 3 parent babies is so alarming

(Vatican Radio) The Catholic Church in England and Wales expressed concern and alarm ahead of Thursday’s vote in parliament where MPs voted by a large majority to allow the creation of human embryos using DNA from three people. In a statement issued before the vote, the Church called it “a very serious step which parliament should not rush into taking.” 

The controversial so-called three parent baby technique is aimed at preventing incurable genetic diseases from being passed from mother to child. 

The technique has sparked strong ethical objections within Britain including the Catholic Church.

Ben Harnwell is the founder of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, a Catholic organization which promotes human dignity based on the recognition that man is made in the image and likeness of God.  Susy Hodges asked him for his views on the implications of the vote on this issue:

 

Listen to the full interview with Ben Harnwell of Dignitatis Humanae Institute: 

 

Please find below a statement from Bishop John Sherrington from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship issued before the vote in parliament:

Many people are rightly concerned about the profound implications of Parliament passing regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to licence the creation of human embryos using the DNA of three people.

These are regulations for the transfer of 'nuclear DNA' into an egg or an embryo to modify its genetic identity. No other country has allowed this procedure and the international scientific community is not convinced that the procedure is safe and effective.

It seems extraordinary that a licence should be sought for a radical new technique affecting future generations without first conducting a clinical trial.

There are also serious ethical objections to this procedure which involves the destruction of human embryos as part of the process.

The human embryo is a new human life, and it should be respected and protected from the moment of conception.

This is a very serious step which Parliament should not rush into taking.