Embryo Research, Human Stem Cells and Cloned Embryos - Summary Report

The General Assembly:
18. Recognise the differences of view which exist within the Church on the moral status of the embryo and the acceptability of embryo research on stem cells, serious genetic diseases and infertility.
19. Strongly urge HMG not to weaken the provisions of the UK legislative framework on embryology, and to ensure that in any future legislation the concept of the special status of the human embryo be maintained and protected.
20. Urge HMG to ensure in any future legislation that embryo research is allowed only under a specific licence from a regulatory authority, on a strict case-by-case basis, only where there are significant expectations of the relief of human suffering, and for which no realistic research alternative exists.
21. Recognise that surplus human embryos arising from in vitro fertilisation or pre-implantation genetic diagnosis may be used in medical research with a view to eventual treatments involving stem cells, subject to the 14-day limit.
22. Oppose the deliberate creation of human embryos for research by IVF methods or nuclear transfer cloning methods, except into serious diseases and only under exceptional circumstances.
23. Oppose the creation and use of human embryos as a source of cells in the treatment of diseases, and urge HMG, in any revision of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, not to include a legislative provision which would allow this.
24. Urge HMG to encourage research into stem cells derived from adult tissues and placental cord blood, and to work to find therapeutic solutions which avoid embryo use.
25. Oppose the creation for research or therapy of parthenogenetic human embryos, animal-human hybrid or chimeric embryos, or human embryos that have been deliberately made non-viable.
26. Call upon the stem cell research community to ensure a more rigorous peer review of stem cell research, and greater honesty in presenting the significance of its discoveries, aware of the harm caused among vulnerable patients by publicising premature or false expectations, and encourage it to make the information more accessible to the public.
26. Commend this report to churches for study, encourage its wide distribution, and encourage the Society, Religion and Technology Project to continue its examination of contemporary issues in human genetics and embryology, and to bring a report to a future General Assembly.

SRT General Report to the 2006 General Assembly

The General Assembly:
14. Commend the work of the Society, Religion and Technology Project, particularly its involvement in the European Commission research project on the ethics of nanobiotechnology.
15. Welcome progress in the Eco-Congregations Programme, and urge congregations to join together with other churches to carry forward the programme in their local area.
16. Welcome the support of the SRT Trust in enabling the extension of the churches' involvement in the Eco-Congregation programme for at least one more year.
17. Urge HM Government in seeking to meet its target of 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to put greater emphasis on incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy and go significantly beyond reliance on market mechanisms to achieve this target and invite all Church members to make a "stop climate chaos" pledge as a sign of commitment to the world's most vulnerable and our responsibility to care for God's creation.

This page was last revised on 31 May 2006