Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement that embryonic stem cell research will be given public funding has never been discussed in parliament. This causes the Canadian Alliance a great deal of concern.
Embryonic stem cells and the rights of the fetus are difficult issues for many individuals to debate, but there will always be situations where what is scientifically possible and what is ethically acceptable conflict. Therefore this issue should not be avoided as the government is doing. We should never be afraid to debate new science and the ethical implications of that science in the House.
Research into embryonic stem cells is a topic of concern to all parliamentarians because the results of that research will substantially impact the entire human race.
I urge the Liberal government to table legislation on assisted human reproduction, cloning and stem cells immediately. I would further recommend because of the difficult moral and ethical dimensions of legislation dealing with assisted human reproduction and related research that all parties permit a free vote on this issue when legislation is finally tabled.