The debate on human cloning has continued to flow since Newcastle University in Northern England was granted a licence for therapeutic cloning in early August. The licence was issued by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

As this is the first ever licence to be granted in Europe, it has outraged religious bodies and pro-lifers who are gravely concerned that this could signal the start of a slippery slope in human ethics.

The project in Newcastle University has been reported as making good progress so far; the first cloning of embryonic cells has already carried out. Yet, the opponents of human therapeutic cloning still hold onto their stance and have spoken out against the workings.

On Friday 18th November, the Pro-Life Alliance revealed it was going to apply for a judicial review on HEFA in the High Court, as it suspected that the licence had not fulfilled the legal criteria in the HFEA Act.

The legal challenge was initiated by Peng Voong of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship. Julia Millington of the Pro-Life Alliance said the Alliance was supporting Mr Voong’s legal challenge.

In fact, prior to the issuing of the licence, the Pro-Life Alliance had written a letter to the HFEA expressing their concerns and requesting further details of the licence application. However, the HEFA has not given any response.

Julia Millington of the Pro-Life Alliance said, “...this legal challenge will address concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the HFEA’s decision-making processes, as well as legality of the licence itself.”

The Alliance also suggested, “it was reported that the licence would further research into certain diseases, however the licence that has been granted does not include research into any specified disease.”

Millington added, “Human cloning is profoundly unethical, particularly when the cloned embryos are manufactured for their constituent parts and thereafter destroyed.”

“The HFEA has power to grant human cloning licences but only if certain rigorous conditions are met. We believe that this licence does not fulfil the conditions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.”

Barlows Solicitors, Guildford, will be acting for the Alliance. Spokesman David Foster said, “This is about a public body being open and honest about what it’s doing...We are simply asking some basic questions: When was the application made? What exactly was it for? Who granted the application? And what their experience and qualifications were?”

Amid the debate and challenge on this controversial issue, Conservative Leader Michael Howard is one of the few outspoken politicians for therapeutic cloning. Last week he expressed his support at the Conservative Women’s National Committee in Westminster, saying that the movement will offer hope to the millions of people who suffer from devastating illnesses.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has in turn rebuked Howard. Anthony Ozimic, SPUC political secretary responded, “Michael Howard has misjudged both the ethics and politics of science by supporting embryonic stem cell research. Lethal experiments upon human beings - whether embryos, children or adults - are prohibited by the Geneva Declaration of the World Medical Association, and have never shown any significant benefits. Embryonic stem cell research, which involves killing embryos, is morally wrong.”

Despite all the challenges from pro-life groups, the Newcastle University Human Embryonic Stem Cell Group still has not retreated.