CBPP Conference: Cloning and the Biotech Future

The presence of Clonaid Director, Brigitte Boisselier, at the CBPPs 'Cloning and the Biotech Future' conference on 24 November was bound to attract attention. The late change in venue from the Royal Society of Medicine to the Royal Horticultural Halls & Conference Centre amid fears about her 'appearance on the platform' didn't deter those of us with more mettle, though it did make it harder to find. The combination of speakers worked well and encouraged discussion. Following an introduction from Nigel Cameron, Baroness Warnock argued that slippery slopes are fallacious in the face of effective regulations. This is perhaps more believable than Dr Boisselier's subsequent claims that her technique for reproductive cloning is 40% effective - and easy because it's 'meant to be', in the Raelian worldview. After lunch, Dr Calum MacKellar spoke on the European situation, and Lord Alton rebuked Parliament for its determination to legalise cloning despite accumulating evidence against it. Overall, a highly informative and enjoyable day. The conference was repeated in Edinburgh on 17 January, but without Dr Boisselier.

Healthcare Mission Forum

A Global Connections Healthcare Forum Conference was held on 26 November with the title 'The future of Healthcare Mission in sub Saharan Africa'. Probably the best forum yet, some 70 folk gathered to hear Dick Anderson of AIM give a key note address on 'What do you understand by Healthcare Mission' and another challenging presentation by Stan Rowland of Medical Ambassadors International on 'Community Health Evangelism'. Some excellent discussion took place in the well presented seminars, including one lead by Gabriel Toma, the President of our Nigerian sister organisation NCMDA, who gave us much food for thought on the reasons why national doctors tend to leave their countries and what might be done to reverse this trend. John Rennie, Patrick Dixon, Veronica Moss and Ann Fursdon were equally stimulating in the seminars they led.

Advanced Media Training

An advanced media training weekend on 'end of life' issues was held on 5-6 December for CMF members already with media experience. The timing was strategic with upcoming media interest in the Joffe Bill, attempts to legalise euthanasia in Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and legislation on mental incapacity (see p1). Our last advanced media course was on sexual health and our next will be on 'beginning of life' issues.

CMF Regional Conferences

The autumn conference season has now finished but over 500 members attended regional weekend or day conferences in Scarborough, Oxford, Cardiff, Sheffield, Glasgow and Eastbourne.