Fed: Abbott imposing "theological conceit" in stemcell debate - Carr

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2006
Fed: Abbott imposing "theological conceit" in stemcell debate - Carr

Former New South Wales premier BOB CARR says the federal Health Minister is imposing
his tortured theological conceit on the debate about expanding stem cell research.

TONY ABBOTT .. a devout Catholic .. has accused scientists of peddling false hope to
sufferers of serious diseases in their zeal to overturn the current ban on therapeutic
cloning.

Mr CARR says people with views like those held by Mr ABBOTT shouldn't be allowed to
hijack the debate.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has promised MPs a conscience vote on the issue.

Supporters of the research say it could help find cures for conditions like spinal
injuries and motor neurone disease.





Mr CARR championed the cause for embryonic stem cell research in 2002 when he brought
the late actor CHRISTOPHER REEVE .. a quadriplegic .. to Sydney for a forum on the science.

Mr ABBOTT has argued that allowing therapeutic cloning would put Australia on a slippery
slope to the reproductive cloning of humans .. and could even open the door to creating
human-animal hybrids.

AAP RTV rp/ibw/crh

KEYWORD: STEMCELL CARR (CANBERRA)

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