We must hold fast to the principle that life is sacrosanct from conception onwards because, once this principle is compromised, unsavoury practices become acceptable.

Just consider the recent revelations that scientists want to plunder the ovaries of female aborted foetuses to replenish the shortage of egg donors for IVF treatment.

So far, it is known that research into the feasibility of this is taking place in Israel and the Netherlands.

Some people strongly suspect that it may also be going on in this country.

There have been similar revelations concerning the artificial creation of "hermaphrodites" for experimentation, whereby female embryos are injected with cellular tissue taken from male embryos.

This is justified by the argument it will facilitate benign research into hitherto incurable diseases.

But this is to disregard the fact that there are more ethical, and in some cases, more effective alternatives.

The true agenda of biologists working in these fields is to enhance their own vanity and reputation.

-John Dixon, Storrington, Pulborough