VIEWPOINT FOR 22 MAY 2008
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

I have received letters supporting both sides of the arguments about the issues addressed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. 

As a retired doctor who has seen the agony and distress to patients and their families from illnesses like motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and at a younger age, muscular dystrophy, 

I voted in favour of the measures in the Bill 
which will enable more research to take place into the 
causes and possible treatment of these awful diseases. 

I believe the Bill contains the necessary safeguards to prevent abuse. 
I found the issue of the need for a father difficult because I understand the value of the time-honoured family with father, mother and their children. The world has moved on and we accept single parents, usually the mother, bringing up children alone. So as we now also accept same sex partnerships I feel we should allow same sex couples to have a family either by adoption or by IVF. I also think this is a very personal matter for couples themselves and that it is not really a matter for legislation. 

Contributions to the debate were thoughtful and sympathetic and it was refreshing to see the House of Commons at its best when all Members have to decide for themselves how to vote, in contrast to the normal whipped debates and votes. 

The concluding part of the debate was on abortion where new clauses were added to lower the age limit for abortion from 24 weeks by fortnightly stages down to 12 weeks. Science suggests that the chances of helping tiny premature babies to survive to normal adulthood have not yet improved enough for babies under 24 weeks gestation for a reduction in the time limit to be justified. 
As I said in the Second Reading Debate one preferable way to reduce the abortion rate would be obligatory sex and relationships education at school. The votes showed an increasing number of MPs supporting earlier limits for abortion with 71 for 12 weeks and 233 for 22 weeks but the status quo of 24 weeks was maintained by a majority of 71.
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Last Saturday I enjoyed the Stourport Choral and Operatic Society's performance of The Pirates of Penzance immensely. My wife and I have not laughed so much for a long time. For a group of ladies of differing ages to play the Major-General's youthful daughters with such conviction and aplomb was amazing and successful. The hero and heroine, again not in the first flush of youth, carried off their roles brilliantly while poking fun at themselves delightfully. I cannot mention everyone but all were superb and the diction, so often lost in amateur performances, was excellent, not a word or a joke was missed. All credit must go to the Director (Claire Darby) and the Musical Director (David Morgan) and his players and, of course, Gilbert and Sullivan for their delicious concoction of melodies and words.
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Another joyful experience was the 200th Anniversary Service at Kidderminster Baptist Church in their friendly, modern church continuing their journey from Silver Street (1808-1868) via Church Street (1868-1971).

R.T.

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