On 27 October, the Dutch Senate’s Committee on Health, Welfare and Sport received two petitions urging lawmakers to retain the legal ban on growing embryos for scientific research. The first was submitted by the initiator of the Petition for the Dignity of Embryonic Life, and the second by the Civitas Christiana foundation.
The Senate is considering an initiative bill by House of Representatives members Paternotte and Wendel. It would allow research using embryos created specifically for that purpose, with the stated aim of expanding embryo research and improving reproductive medicine.
The petitioners say that growing embryos for scientific purposes infringes human dignity and the right to life.
