Human Fertilisation and Embryology

John Hemming Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd February 2015 Commons Chamber

[John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD)]

This is a difficult issue for everybody. I have a real difficulty with this, which is that I cannot see the difference between modifying mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA. Both are inherited, and both can prevent inherited diseases. If we agree to this as a process, we are, in essence, potentially agreeing to swapping a pair of chromosomes—[Interruption.] I know that we are not agreeing to it in law, but in practice the same arguments can be used to justify—

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that mitochondrial DNA only codes the mitochondria, which were undoubtedly alien DNA to the human cells, and actually were probably bacteria that are now symbiotically living within us?

[John Hemming]

They remain—

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[John Hemming]

I will not take lots of interventions because it would damage the debate. They remain inherited, and, in essence, we face the same difficulty. My concern is a legalistic one, which is that we are moving away from a society in which we value people as people to one where we start looking at people in terms of what categories they fall into and things such as that. To that extent, I cannot back the motion today, particularly as it is being pushed through in such a rush.

[Mr Speaker]

If the hon. Gentleman is finished, I call Mr Robert Flello.