Time runs out to amend abortion law as fertility bill moves to Lords

A bill to allow the creation of part human, part animal embryos for research in the United Kingdom passed its final stages easily in the House of Commons on 22 October, when the government also saw off attempts to use the bill to liberalise the UK’s abortion laws.

Pro-choice MPs and campaigners accused ministers of “shabby” tactics and “cynical” manoeuvring in making sure that there would be insufficient time to debate the abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The bill, which now goes back to the House of Lords for consideration of amendments made during the Commons stage, is expected to receive …