CORE Comments on Designer Baby Ruling
Apr 29, 2005, 14:46, Reviewed by: Dr.
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"Although we have lost this single battle, the bigger war will still continue. Fortunately Parliament has already woken up to the fact that its power in the field of assisted reproduction has been both usurped by the unelected HFEA, and weakened by inadequate legislation."
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By CORE, UK,
On receiving today�s ruling from the House of Lords, Josephine Quintavalle of CORE, commented:
�We are naturally very disappointed with this result. The Law Lords have in effect stated that unless there are specific prohibitions to the contrary, the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) can do whatever it pleases. This is not simply about babies being created in the laboratory as tissue matches, but the creation of babies of the right sex, hair colour, intelligence, and so on. Whatever the mother deems to be suitable in an embryo is what she can ask for, according to today�s interpretation of the law. This judgment effectively endorses the terrifying designer baby scenario which our country rightly abhors.
�Although we have lost this single battle, the bigger war will still continue. Fortunately Parliament has already woken up to the fact that its power in the field of assisted reproduction has been both usurped by the unelected HFEA, and weakened by inadequate legislation.
�Through this legal case and continued campaigning over many years, CORE has focused successfully on the muddled and undemocratic role of the HFEA and thankfully this concern is now firmly on the Parliamentary agenda. Plans are already in place to review both the HFEA and the HFE Act. Today�s ruling can and must be rectified.
�Across all political parties and divided ethical positions there is significant consensus that Parliament and not the HFEA should be making the major decisions in this field. CORE is confident that the new Government will reclaim the rightful authority of Parliament in this sensitive ethical arena.� 
- Comment on Reproductive Ethics (CORE), PO BOX 4593, London, SW3 6XE, England
www.corethics.org
Josephine Quintavalle, founded Comment on Reproductive Ethics (CORE) in 1994, with 15 other colleagues. CORE is a public interest group focusing on ethical dilemmas surrounding human reproduction, particularly the new technologies of assisted conception.
It aims to facilitate informed and balanced debate, to involve lay people in discussion of the issues involved, to encourage the broader participation of philosophers, theologians and social scientists in dialogue, and where necessary to bring about democratic reform to the legislation controlling these practices.
Absolute respect for the human embryo is a principal tenet. Of particular concern to CORE are matters relating to the physical and psychological welfare of children born from these various practices. Most recently the group has been involved in conferences, Parliamentary briefings, and lobbying against human cloning.
CORE works on a network basis without formal membership and has a contact base of 1,500 people, representing supportive, neutral and opposing viewpoints.
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