(09 Sept 2005 RV) "This is the latest in a catalogue of decisions with profound ethical
implications made by the HFEA. Not only are there ethical questions which need very
wide and searching debate, but also long term risks to be considered. This was
the Comment from Archbishop Peter Smith on HFEA decision to allow the creation of
an embryo from the DNA of one man and two different women. "It is high time we
followed the example of many other countries and set up an overarching body for the
UK - a National Bio-ethics Commission. A properly constituted independent body could
advise Parliament, conduct extensive public consultation and education, and provide
a continuing forum for discussion and dialogue about these far reaching ethical issues.
Such a body would go a long way to ensuring that we were not then regularly faced
with major decisions made without adequate public consultation or debate, and which
are fostering a growing public unease."