John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I join the call for a debate on stem cell research. The debate has been muddied to some extent, especially with the links made in the national media between in vitro fertilisation and stem cells. There is no objection in pro-life circles to IVF, despite the impression that is out there. However, there is a request for respect for the embryo. It amazes me that after ten years and billions of euro spent, the only legally defined clinic to provide stem cells to adults or children who may need them provides adult stem cells, and that being X-Cell in Germany. After all these years, they have not been able to stop the nature of the embryo which allows the stem cell to multiply and divide at a very fast rate. Even though they tried to succeed, they failed and have caused cancerous growth. Why do we have to go through all this again only inevitably to find out that it is simply not working? Despite being ethically wrong, it does not work.