SCIENCE can tell us what is possible, but it is up to individuals to decide what is right, the Archbishop of Canterbury said ahead of today's second reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
Dr Rowan Williams said he welcomes the opportunity for "further serious debate" on the "difficult issues" raised.
The opportunity to create so-called "saviour siblings" to help those suffering serious illnesses was "one of the most poignantly diff
icult areas", he wrote in a newspaper.
Dr Williams said a better understanding of the science involved would help people to make up their minds about some of the issues, but added: "Science in itself is never going to be able to tell us what the right thing is for us to do – it can only tell us what is possible."
He said most people agree it is morally wrong to use someone else for themselves.
"So we condemn rape, torture and blackmail. We don't allow experiments on people's bodies or minds without their consent. And we don't breed human individuals to create a pool of organs that could be transplanted to save the lives of others."
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, has said he will allow Labour MPs – like those in opposition – a free vote on some of the issues in the bill.
Dr Williams said he was grateful that politicians and scientists recognised the need for further debate on "matters of conscience".
The full article contains 243 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
