MPs back hybrid embryos

MPs have backed the use of hybrid human-animal embryos and 'saviour siblings'.

Voting on the committee stage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill on Monday night, an attempt to ban the controversial embryos, was defeated on a free vote by 336 to 176.

However some Catholic cabinet ministers such as Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy supported the ban.

A bid to ban 'saviour siblings' - selected by parents to provide tissue material to help a seriously ill brother or sister - was also defeated by 342 votes to 163.

Prime minister Gordon Brown voted in support of both issues.

Brown has allowed a free vote on the measures following concerns over a backbench rebellion from a number of Catholic MPs.

Research

David Cameron also backed proposals for the use of human-animal hybrid embryos for medical research, as well as the 'saviour siblings' clause.

But speaking during the Commons debate, shadow health minister Mark Simmonds raised concerns over the ethical issues involved.

"I am not anti-science. I just think we need to consider very carefully about whether to allow scientists to continue some of this particular work," he said.

Simmonds said there were four "very different" types of admix embryos, and that it was important to "prohibit the mixing of what's euphemistically called 'true hybrids'."

Writing in the Observer newspaper on Sunday, the prime minister described the use of stem cell research as a "moral endeavour" and called for MPs to support the proposals.

He said the science could save "millions of lives", as well as speeding up treatment for cancer and conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

"The scientists I speak to are committed to what they see as an inherently moral endeavour that can save and improve the lives of thousands and over time, millions," he said.

"Let me be clear: if we want to sustain stem cell research and bring new cures and treatments to millions of people, I believe admixed embryos are necessary.

"The question for me is not whether they should exist, but how their use should be controlled."
 
However, senior Tory MP Edward Leigh opened Monday's debate with an amendment to completely prohibit the creation of hybrid "admixed" embryos.

He said the move was "ethically wrong and almost certainly medically useless; and if not useless, there is no evidence yet to substantiate it".

"We do not believe that regulation is enough. We believe this is a step too far and therefore, should be banned," he said.

"In embryos, we do have the genetic make-up of a complete human being and we could not and should not be spliced together with the animal kingdom."