[Greens-Media] Cure for spinal chord injuries under threat from conservative MPs

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE - 4 June 2007

Cure for spinal chord injuries under threat from conservative MPs 

Greens MP and medical research spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said today that all four Greens NSW MPs will vote for the therapeutic cloning bill . She called on all NSW MPs to support this legislation in the wake of lobbying against it from conservative religious MPs. 

"There is a real risk that the Human Cloning and Other Prohibited Practices Amendment Bill will be blocked by the NSW Upper House. Conservative MPs from Labor, the Coalition and the right wing cross benchers are working hard to have this bill defeated," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"This Bill is about offering people who are badly suffering some chance of relief. It is no time to cloud the debate with prejudice and misinformation.. 

"Some of the opposition to this legislation comes from the religious belief that life begins at conception. 

"If that is their belief, then MPs should reject the use of the products of this research in their own lives but they have no right to impose their religion onto others who do not share them. 

"The overwhelming majority of Australians reject the idea that life begins at conception. The minority who do not accept this view should not seek to stop science that can provide massive benefits to others. 

"It is disappointing that Premier Morris Iemma has allowed Labor MPs to have a conscience vote on this issue. We are in the 21st century. Labor and the conservative parties should have been able to determine their position on this legislation according to the science of the issue. 

"MPs, like all people, clearly have a right to their religious beliefs but in turn those MPs should not try and stop this ground breaking research. 

"The conservative MPs do their religious beliefs a disservice when they lobby and vote against legislation that will open the door for research that can end so much suffering. 

"The morality of this issue is straight forward. We should not deny sick and vulnerable people the chance for research to be carried out that could relieve their suffering. 

"It is vital that this Bill is passed so we have national standards and consistency in potentially beneficial research that could result in breakthrough treatments on major human diseases such as diabetes, spinal cord injury and eye diseases," Ms Rhiannon said. 

Contact: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568