I've spent a fair amount of today popping in and out of BBC Parliament showing the second reading of the HEFB. I was lifted by the quality of some of the debates, on both sides, it's an extremely important piece of legislation and I personally hope it gets through unscathed. Aside from the unusual spectacle of our elected members behaving well I grow increasingly dismayed by the power of religious pressure groups, and individuals, over our legislative process. This fear of science which is still prevalent even after centuries of scientific advancement improving our lives, economies, and quality of life is abhorrent. Most notably the allowed absence of Ruth Kelly from the vote, how do the people of Bolton West feel about this abandonment by their voice in parliament? I don't accept that as a minister she would have to vote with the Government, these are ethical issues and whilst I may strongly disagree with her views she should have the courage of her convictions (assuming she has some) to vote one way or the other and not to cowardly hide away until it's all over.
If I may return to my main point though. This debate could be mired down in apocryphal religious tales of woe, shouting from the rafters that the end is nigh and it'll only be a matter of time before we are breeding machines to fight or do our laundry. Or people could use it to say these are possible solutions to huge problems, treatments for Cancers, Alzhiemers, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis the list goes one, could be available within a generation. That is a true and noble aim. Not only that but the UK could become a world centre for biological science, creating jobs, funding universities.
One of the Issues discussed today was about the creation of a Bio-Ethics Committee, an excellent plan however further from that the creation of a scientific "court" a place for scientists to put forth their ideas in true debate on contentious issues, arguing the rights and wrongs of their processes. A place not for religious dogmatism and ignorance but somewhere scientific theory can be argued in a reasoned way.
Off to Crewe and Nantwich on Sunday, come along!
