Cardinal error

Published on Saturday 22 March 2008 18:46

EASTER Sunday, it goes without saying, isn't what it used to be. This once-holy holiday has become more and more like any other Sunday. Shops are busier than churches. More people will be praying during Super Sunday football on Sky than during Songs Of Praise on the BBC.

But those who bemoan the drift to secularism can at least take heart that some traditions remain: the eating of hot cross buns, which carry a reminder of the crucifixion; the rolling of eggs by children which, whether they know it or not, symbolises the removal of the stone from the crypt so the resurrected Christ could emerge; and, then of course, there is that other hardy Easter perennial, a fiery warning of imminent damnation from the pulpit.

This year it is the turn of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of Scotland's Catholics. He has chosen Easter to attack moves to loosen the rules which limit the research that can be done with cells and embryos. More to the point, in his sermon today he will condemn the British Government's "endorsement of experiments of Frankenstein proportion". The Cardinal will call on all Catholics to oppose the "hideous" and "grotesque" Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which he regards as an affront to God. His message will go out to Catholics across Scotland, but is primarily aimed at those among the MPs who will soon vote on the bill.

The Roman Catholic church's opposition to the creation of embryos other than naturally, in the human body, is no surprise. This time, Cardinal O'Brien is focusing specifically on the part of the bill which would allow embryos to be made containing both human and animal DNA. These are his Frankenstein's monsters, created by inserting human DNA into animal cells which have been cleared of almost all of their own natural DNA. Supporters of the procedure say this allows researchers better access to cells to pursue cures for a wide range of diseases, among them Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

The Cardinal regards this as an abomination and believes Catholic MPs should vote with their conscience on the issue. He is appalled that the Labour Party, uniquely among the major parties, is refusing to allow a free vote. At best, Labour MPs will only be able to abstain – and then only if they obtain permission to do so.

Perversely, on this issue Cardinal O'Brien is politically right but morally wrong. He is absolutely correct to say that our MPs should not be ordered by their political masters how to vote on such a sensitive issue. Both the House of Commons and Holyrood make far too many decisions on party political lines, with politicians voting either in pursuit of party political favour or to avoid party political punishment. Both Parliaments would better represent the nation if more votes were taken based on personal belief, including individual judgments which are influenced by faith, or by the lack of it. Whether MPs and MSPs have made the right decision will be for their constituents to judge at future elections.

But while this newspaper therefore believes that Gordon Brown should allow his MPs a free vote on the HFE Bill, it is not because Cardinal O'Brien is right to oppose liberalising embryo research. In fact, we think he is wrong to oppose change. The Cardinal argues the bill "comprehensively attacks the sanctity and dignity of human life", but the dogma behind this stance ignores the science involved. The transfer of DNA from one cell to another may create a hybrid cell, but it does not create life, either human or animal. Moreover, strict safeguards are in place to ensure that the resultant cells are used only for research purposes, with all materials destroyed after just a few days.

All that will be accomplished if the bill fails is that important medical advances will be delayed – here in Britain, at least, as others will undoubtedly continue the research. That, in turn, denies hope to future generations of sufferers of scores of genetic diseases which shorten their lives and make what little time they have less bearable. At Easter, as we mark the resurrection of the Christ to whose word Cardinal O'Brien adheres, shouldn't we be particularly keen to offer a better life to those who suffer most? Yes, MPs should be free to decide on this issue, but their consciences should be steered by a desire to help others, not by the Cardinal's ideology.