As a result of his Easter Sunday sermon, Cardinal O’Brien was responsible for our prime Minister, Gordon Brown, changing his mind and allowing a freedom of conscience vote in the forthcoming debate on the subject of stem cells.
He spoke recently to people in Kirkcaldy in the very hall where Gordon Brown’s minister father often spoke himself.  The following is a brief summary of what he said:

In the current debate on whether or not scientists should create animal-human hybrid embryos I think it is time we deployed a great deal more rigour when listening to the hype-filled claims of those who experiment upon and destroy human life at its most defenceless.

Claims that such research "might", "could" or "may" lead to treatments for many diseases have been made for almost a decade - without any substance. We continue to be told that experimenting on embryos will lead us to cures and treatments. Yet, as the years have gone by, not one single treatment or therapy has emerged. In the meantime, research using adult stem cells has led to over 70 different therapies and treatments, without destroying a single embryo.
Science is always about pushing boundaries and exploring possibilities. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done. The question of scientists' responsibility towards humanity is today painfully pertinent as they tamper with human life in its earliest incarnation.
  As a science graduate, I am well aware of the procedures and processes by which progress in the sciences is made. Yet I believe strongly that such research must always serve the public good.
  It is worth remembering that France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Australia have all banned the grotesque procedures we seek to legalise. Could it be that the citizens and politicians of those countries care nothing for the chronically ill among them? Perhaps they don't want to develop cures or therapies; perhaps they are simply anti-scientific Luddites! Or could it be that we are wrong and these democracies see no reason to attack the sanctity and dignity of human life when many alternatives exist?
I am heartened to see in a recent opinion poll that the overwhelming majority of people (67%), like me, are completely opposed to the creation of animal-human hybrids.
I sincerely hope that Gordon Brown and all our MPs will take notice of this result and reconsider the need for this legislation. Only last month, Gordon Brown said about animal-human hybrid research, that "lives will be saved" and "treatments and cures will be available". Such statements are not only complete scientific fantasy, but are blatantly untrue. They present nothing more than a cruel deception to the thousands of families caring for an ill relative who may benefit from stem cell therapies. The prime minister obviously isn't aware of the recent statement by expert molecular biologist Dr David King, who said; "there is abundant evidence that even if stem cells are obtained (from hybrid embryos) they will be so abnormal as to be useless."
 

Since Gordon Brown is intent on making hopelessly inaccurate statements on scientific matters he clearly doesn't understand, I would urge him to consider meeting some of the scientists in this field and would be glad to facilitate just such a meeting.
It is time the government focused its attention on supporting and funding stem cell research that is both ethical and effective - which is research using adult stem cells.
I have been approached by MPs and asked by others in the media to consider meeting leading scientists who are currently involved in this area. I would be only too happy to agree to such a meeting and I am sure other church representatives and leaders of other faiths would also agree.
My only condition would be that the scientists were also willing to accept instruction from our Churches and peoples of faith on basic morality, on what human life really is, on the purpose of our life on earth and so on.”
Scientists and politicians welcomed the cardinal's offer to discuss the issue, and a meeting could take place within weeks. Professor Colin Blakemore, former head of the Medical Research Council, said he was "delighted" at the prospect of a meeting.
"I hope we can all enter into this dialogue with a shared willingness to listen to each other."