Government accused of dishonesty over 3-parent baby plan
Leading scientists have accused the Government of misleading the public after it quietly changed its definition of ‘genetic modification’ to push forward with proposals to allow 3-parent babies. Last week, the Government announced its intention to place regulations before Parliament as it released its response to a 12-week consultation recently undertaken by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The proposed IVF technique, known as ‘mitochondrial replacement therapy’, will allow permanent changes to the genetic make-up of future generations for the first time and is widely recognised by experts as a form of genetic modification. However, in a move buried in a Department of Health document, the Government quietly redefined ‘genetic modification’ in a way that would exclude 'mitochondrial replacement therapy'. Leading scientists say that the Government is acting dishonestly and misleading the public over the true implications of the procedure.
Shock report reveals girl had four abortions before her 16th birthday
The pro-life movement is sometimes scoffed at by abortion activists when it points out that abortion is mostly used for birth control reasons. A British schoolgirl had her fourth abortion in 2012, figures today revealed. She is one of 200 teenage girls who have had repeat abortions before the age of 16. The figures show five girls had three abortions by the time of their 16th birthday, which is the legal age of consent in England. That means abortion practitioners are doing abortions on girls who are victims of statutory rape and, as is the case in the United States, they may not be reporting those rapes to authorities. In 2011, a total of 84 under-16s had abortions for a second time or more, according to the Department of Health figures. Norman Wells, of the Family Education Trust, said too many teenagers were having sex without thinking about the consequences.
Trojan Horse: Role of faith in state education under scrutiny
Park View School in Birmingham, one of three schools inspected as part of the ‘Trojan Horse’ investigations, has been placed in special measures. The role of faith in state-funded education is coming under closer scrutiny following publication of two government reports into the so-called ‘Trojan Horse’ affair. A report by former head teacher Ian Kershaw failed to spot concerns about some schools at the centre of the controversy and also failed to take action in order to avoid being seen as ‘racist or Islamophobic’. Students at one school had to teach themselves Christian RE for GCSE. The finding is among a number of startling episodes laid out in a report from Peter Clarke – former head of counterterrorism at the Metropolitan Police. Children were encouraged to express vocal support for anti-Christian remarks, Christmas was banned and some teachers claimed serviceman Lee Rigby’s murder was actually a hoax.
Religious freedom under threat across the world
An increased international focus on protection of religious freedom is required to combat the worldwide persecution, torture and killing of Christians, says Cross-bench Peer, Lord Alton. The Peer made the statement whilst leading a debate calling on the House of Lords to note that Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was ‘under threat in almost every corner of the world’. Lord Alton asked the House to take note of international compliance with Article 18 and said greater devotion to the protection of religious freedom was required. Article 18 of the UDHR stipulates that, ‘Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.’ Lord Alton drew on many international examples of the persecution of Christians around the world. Lord Bach supported the cross-bench member saying Lord Alton’s motion was ‘right and action is necessary’. He said the House looked forward to hearing what the Government proposed to do about the situation.
