LET me ask a question to the readers of this paper. What would you do if you were an MEP and had to vote on the subject of funding for research on human genetics such as on stem cells?

We have been heavily lobbied from both sides; from those who say not to support the research could have serious consequences for research into a cure for Parkinson's disease and others such as Alzheimer's, MS, Motor Neurone Disease; to those who say it will compromise the dignity and value of human life and that human embryos should not be used for research.

One said, "As a practising Christian, I am fully aware of the religious and ethical arguments against widening of research using embryo stem cells. As the wife of a victim of Parkinson's disease, however, I feel the balance has to be in favour of allowing such research."

She tells of seeing her husband deteriorate and struggle to walk. "Our misery must be repeated in the homes of the 120,000 people who have Parkinson's Disease in Britain alone."

One of my MEP colleagues, Lord Bethell, himself a Parkinson's Disease sufferer, made an emotional speech on the subject and said: "There is no dignity in dying from Motor Neurone Disease and there is precious little dignity in suffering from Parkinson's either.

"I do not believe that the foundation of the Christian religion, who set great store by healing the sick, would inhibit this, who simply want this to cure sick people. I cannot believe that this is the intention of the Christian ethic."

A constituent from Formby wrote on behalf of his father, a Parkinson's sufferer, asking me to support the funding. He said "Let me make it clear that this is not an argument for reproductive cloning... It is vital for the research to go ahead."

Contrast that to those who say such research is ethically unacceptable. The letters and e-mails have come from ordinary people, organisations, the EU Catholic Bishops' Conference and even the American Congress.

Four countries in the EU forbid such research but we in the UK are the leaders. The vote took place in the European Parliament on November 14. I voted for the funding for the research and so did the majority. I'd welcome comments on this from you the readers. How would you have voted on such an issue with such ethical consequences?

Terry Wynn MEP.