Analysis published in the medical ethics journal Bioethics has claimed the risks involved in gene modification are now low enough to warrant its use with human embryos.

Writing in the journal, Dr Kevin Smith says an “ethically-sound attempt” could be less than two years away.

Researchers from Abertay University in Dundee said research in this area would offer hope to parents at risk of transmitting serious genetic disease to their future children.

Recent studies show that genetic modification is the only way to deal with multiple disease-associated genes within an embryo.

Dr Trevor Stammers from the Christian Medical Fellowship told Premier the medical development isn’t as extreme as some might think.

“Changing genes in people who carry diseases is one thing,” Stammers said.

“Designer babies, which conjures up being able to choose children who are good at the violin and are going to win the Olympics is a totally different matter which is light-years away.”

When asked whether he viewed the practice as unethical, Stammers urged Christians not to use the expression “playing God” too flippantly.

“I think the phrase has been used wrongly by Christians to condemn every medical advance.

“We need to be very careful about misusing biblical verses to pre-empt things that we just feel uncomfortable about,” he added.

Although Stammers does not have any moral objection to…

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimiantion Against Christians in Europe release a report each year.

The Observatory report specifically on 325 incidents in its 2018 Hate Crimes Report, released this November.

Executive director Ellen Fantini told Premier: “From our perspective, it seems to be to be getting worse. 

“Before the Notre Dame fire there were reports of incidents across France targeting churches. But we’ve seen that across Europe generally – that places of worship are targeted for vandalism but I would also say that the more invisible incidents involving violations of fundamental rights of Christians are also on the rise.”

When asked where the examples were worst, she replied: ” I would say that the UK and is particularly concerning, because we’ve seen a wide range of interference with fundamental rights, everything from the parental rights to educate their children in conformity with their beliefs. So for example, the UK Government guidance requiring relationships education, even to primary school-aged children with no opt-outs is a concern.

“In Ireland and Northern Ireland, we’re concerned with the conscience rights for doctors medical professionals not to be forced to refer their patients who are seeking abortions. I would say the censorship zones prohibiting the public, peaceful prayer around abortion clinics, using public space protection…

The note was left in a post box at the L6 Community Centre in Everton.

Local Labour councillor Gerard Woodhouse posted a picture on Twitter to raise awareness of the need in his area.

In the letter, the child writes: “Dear Father Christmas. Can you help?

“Can we have a home for Christmas? Mam wants us to be all together. Can you give us some food and can I have just a nice doll for Christmas? Thank you.”

The letter appeared when the team at the community centre began decorating for Christmas.

They left the post box in the cafe for visiting children to post their Christmas wishes.

Speaking on Premier’s News Hour, Dr Naomi Maynard from Feeding Liverpool, a Christian charity tackling hunger, spoke of her unease at seeing the note.

“It’s a heart breaking letter to read,” she said. “When I first read it I almost wasn’t surprised – this is a day to day reality for those with struggles who are regularly asking questions ‘where is food coming from? Am I going to have breakfast this morning?'”

She did however hope some good would come from the letter.

“The response from the community has been fabulous, an outpouring of love. There’s actually lots of great work already happening in Everton so hopefully, this letter might be another thing that brings more attention and more support.”

Encouraging Christians to be motivated to help those in their communities, Dr Maynard said: “You…

The machines use Artificial Intelligence to spot whether the user is exhibiting addictive behaviour and will be introduced in betting shops such as William Hill, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes.

The Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) looks out for whether a player is betting erratically in order to keep playing and monitors how long they’ve been gambling for.

If the gamer is playing in a way that could danger them, they are locked out of it for at least 30 seconds and a manager is alerted.

Warnings are then displayed on the screen about safe gambling.

A “cooling off” period of 20 seconds will also stop a player gambling if they have been on the machine for 20 minutes.

Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, who has campaigned about gambling in the House of Lords, said: “I am glad that the industry has acknowledged the problems its products are still creating on our high streets.

He said the idea was good and a step forward but: “As anyone who has ever watched people use these types of machines know, 20 seconds appears to be too small a time-limit. Could 20 seconds be so short that it is effectively meaningless?

“If this initiative is really going to help those experiencing gambling-related harm, it will need to have robust, transparent and independent academic review using anonymised data to test its effectiveness.”

Bishop Alan added: “As the world and the…

West’s original Jesus Is King album, which launched 25th October, made history in the Christian music industry after becoming the first album ever to take the top 10 spots on both Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs and Hot Gospel Songs charts.

On Monday the star told fans a follow-up project was in production.

“Ye and Dre Jesus is King Part II coming soon” he posted on Twitter, sharing a photo with the famed producer and rapper in the studio.

Ye and Dre Jesus is King Part II coming soon. pic.twitter.com/wTKFgXQQXQ

— ye (@kanyewest) November 18, 2019

The album will mark the first official collaboration of two of the most prominent artists in the hip hop industry.

West, who announced he is now “born again” earlier this year also plans to release a Christmas album titled Jesus is Born.

Last weekend, West performed a Sunday service session at Houston’s Lakewood Church, featuring a sermon from the megachurch pastor Joel Osteen.

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Speaking at the CBI conference on Monday, where the political party leaders also pitched their ideas to the business community, the Archbishop of Canterbury took part in a discussion about social inequality.

The discussion was chaired by Faisal Islam, BBC’s economics editor and also included Denise Wilson, Ruth Harrison and Brian Gilvary – who all work in business and equality.

During the session, Archbishop Justin said: “Our founder Jesus Christ was of course not white, middle class and British…by any standard of imagination.

“Are you sure?” asked Faisal Islam.

“I’m absolutely certain – he certainly wouldn’t have got a visa, unless we’re particularly short of carpenters”.

Making sure every person is able to live with dignity is central to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Looking forward to being at #CBI2019 this afternoon, where I’ll be joining a panel discussion on ways to tackle social inequality.

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 18, 2019

They also discussed gender parity on company boards, whether companies should make relationships which have climate change implications and social injustice.

⁦@JustinWelby⁩ profit is necessary but not sufficient. We need a fair and just economy. An inclusive one. #socialinequality debate ⁦@CBItweets⁩ #CBI2019 pic.twitter.com/HybgeVJ2nL

— Rain Newton-Smith (@RainNewtonSmith) November 18, 2019