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Backers Of Anti-Cloning Bill Frustrated At Delay In Putting It To A Vote By DENNIS BUECKERT Wed, October 8, 2003 OTTAWA (CP) - Supporters of the government's anti-cloning bill are frustrated the legislation still has not been put to a vote, warning that time for its passage is running out. "We have been debating this for over a decade and it's time we put it to the vote," said geneticist Patricia Baird, who headed the 1993 Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. A filibuster by pro-life MPs is no excuse for delaying a vote, said Baird, calling for the use of closure if necessary. "I don't think we have anything to gain by delaying and delaying. It's very, very frustrating that they're not getting on with it." Canada is one of the few advanced countries with no regulation of techniques such as cloning, donor insemination, stem- cell research and surrogate motherhood. The bill would fill that void. Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Health Minister Anne McLellan have said the bill is a government priority, and there has been no opposition from Chretien's presumed successor, Paul Martin. One source said Chretien made a reference during a caucus meeting Wednesday to calling an election if the bill is defeated. Yet House Leader Don Boudria has given precedence to other legislation which has never been identified as having high priority. One government insider was furious Boudria pulled the bill from debate last Friday. "It was shocking that the bill was not moved forward as expected and as committed to by the house leader," said the official. "One has to wonder what is behind his reluctance when it seems that together with the majority of the Liberals, the NDP and (Conservative MP) Joe Clark, the will of the House is to move forward on this bill." At the time Boudria's office said the decision was a tactic to deal with a filibuster by pro-life MPs who oppose the bill's provisions allowing embryonic stem-cell research. But New Democrats have said they will support the bill, which should ensure passage. Speaking outside the Commons on Wednesday, Boudria denied he is delaying the vote. "It will get it through," he said. But even if the bill gets passage in the Commons before the house prorogues, perhaps within a month or so, it must still receive passage in the Senate. Some suspect the real problem does not lie with pro-life MPs, but with lobbying from other sources. Many of those who would be affected by the bill - including fertility doctors, clinics and lawyers who negotiate commercial surrogate-mother contracts - would be happy if it dies. "There must be some input into Boudria's office from special interest groups that have swayed him," said Baird. "I don't know what's going on." SOURCE: CNEWS, Canada http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2003/10/08/pf-220856.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn