Seanad debates
Wednesday, 19 November 2003
Stem Cell Research: Statements.
It must be emphasised that we are dealing with a very narrow area of activity. People have been almost suggesting that embryos at will are going to be used for this purpose. As Senator Henry and the Minister explained, it is much narrower than that. This is to do with the embryos that are left over from in vitro fertilisation that were created before a particular date and only those are under consideration. There seems to be a suggestion that this matter may wind up as a referendum issue. I cannot see how that could possibly be the case. It might wind up being a referendum issue if we decided to introduce stem cell research. That might be the case but even that is tenuous. How can the matter be a referendum issue if what we are talking about is an activity in other countries and not one here? I do not understand the logic of that argument. I do not believe the Commission has ever forced on member states proposals they would find unacceptable ethically or culturally. That is not what the European Union is about. If such research ever takes place here, it will be entirely of our volition. This country will decide that and the Medical Council would probably regulate it.
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