UK Conservative leader announces support for stem cell research

Michael Howard, the leader of the UK's opposition Conservative Party, has publicly stated his support for human embryonic stem cell (ES cell) research, saying that he believes it is an important tool in the battle to overcome crippling diseases. Mr Howard was speaking earlier this week to the Conservative Women's National Committee in Westminster, on the topic of 'ambitions and values'.

Howard's comments come a week after George W Bush was re-elected as US president. Bush is known for his opposition to further ES cell research, and this was highlighted many times during his campaign. Bush, who has limited the availability of federal funds for ES cell work in the US, has moral objections to the destruction of embryos necessary for the derivation of ES cells. Howard, however, said that there were powerful moral arguments to continue and to promote ES cell research, because of the potential that ES cells might have for the treatment of currently incurable conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's.

Howard told the women that 'politicians must create the right framework so that the great potential of science can be harnessed for the benefit of mankind'. He continued: 'I know many people are concerned about stem cell research - they are fearful of meddling with the stuff of souls'. He added: 'but I also believe we have a duty to offer hope to the millions of people who suffer devastating illnesses, and I believe that stem cell research offers a way forward'.

Pro-life groups including the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) and Student LifeNet have condemned Howard for his support of the research. Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's political secretary, said that 'Howard has misjudged both the ethics and politics of science by supporting embryonic stem cell research', adding: 'Embryonic stem cell research, which involves killing embryos, is morally wrong. Mr Howard should learn from John Kerry's experience that promoting the killing of embryos won't help him win elections'. ES cell research is already permitted in the UK, provided the embryos used to derive stem cells are less than 14 days old and the researchers using them have been given a licence to do so by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Patrick Leahy, of Student LifeNet, said that Howard should make clear that the comments were his own opinions, and did not represent the views of the Conservative Party as a whole.