CHRISTCHURCH Right to Life wants people to advise the health minister against allowing spare frozen human embryos from in vitro fertilisation to be used for scientific research. The Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology made that recommendation in 2007 and Health Minister Tony Ryall reportedly said late last year he would look at the matter in early 2009.
In late June, Mr Ryall advised Right to Life that he had not made a decision.
It is an important issue and I consider the many facets involved need to be thought through carefully, Mr Ryall wrote.
Therefore, I do not want to rush any decision.
This year, New Zealands Catholic bishops urged Mr Ryall to exercise restraint when considering the recommendation that parents be allowed to donate embryos for research.
Right to Life spokesman Ken Orr said there is an urgent need to pray for the minister and asked people to express concern and opposition to the proposal.
People could also usefully write to Government MPs, Mr Orr said.
It is a scientific fact that human life begins at conception, he said.
At the moment of conception, the human embryo is endowed by its Creator with human rights.
The foundation of these rights is the right to life these rights are inalienable and cannot be taken away.
From conception, the human embryo should be accorded the respect that is due to the human person.
Embryonic stem-cell research entails the destruction of the human embryo.
Right to Life has prepared a form letter that can be sent to the minister. It is available on the societys website.
