Dutch parliament still divided on growing embryos for research

A bill proposed by D66 and VVD to allow the cultivation of embryos for scientific research does not yet appear to have majority support in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament. The Christian parties SGP and ChristenUnie are opposed in any case, as is NSC. The PVV, the largest party in parliament, also expressed criticism during a parliamentary debate on the law.

The bill’s sponsors, Jan Paternotte (D66) and Harry Bevers (VVD), aim to end the ban on cultivating embryos solely for medical experiments. They believe that removing this restriction could lead to breakthroughs, including improvements in IVF treatments and the early detection of hereditary diseases.

The fiercest criticism of the proposal came from NSC member of parliament Rosanne Hertzberger. She fears a slippery slope, where the boundaries of science are continuously pushed further. She acknowledged that the proposal could help increase the success rate of IVF treatments. But she added that this comes “at the expense of using embryos as mere objects.”

Allowing research on cultivated embryos is a step toward “designer babies and mini-mes,” Hertzberger warned. “I think it’s best if we keep this door closed in the Netherlands.” She faced sharp criticism from D66’s Wieke Paulusma, who described her comments as “scenarios that Ms. Hertzberger has imagined.”

While ChristenUnie and SGP emphasize the protection of human life, however fragile, a vote against the bill is not yet certain for the CDA. The party also considers “the dignity of future life, which can be spared suffering,” to carry significant weight, said MP Harmen Krul. Still, he too is wary of the “slippery slope” that Hertzberger warned about.

It was unclear from the debate whether the bill would be passed. This is partly due to the fact that parties like the BBB, DENK, Volt, and JA21 were not present during the debate.

The bill will be debated further at a later date. The sponsors will first have the opportunity to answer all the questions that have been raised.