Britain's parliament voted to allow the creation of human-animal
embryos which some scientists say are vital to research cures for
diseases but critics argue pervert the course of nature.
In a separate vote, parliament also decided to allow parents of
children suffering serious diseases to use in-vitro fertilisation
to select "saviour siblings" who can act as donors for transplants
to save their sick brothers and sisters.
Parliament defeated an amendment to ban inter-species research - in
which human DNA is injected into cells derived from animals - by
336 to 176 after hours of impassioned debate on ethics versus
science.
The vote means Britain retains its status as a world leader in stem
cell research. Human-animal embryo research is banned in some
countries including Australia, France, Germany and Italy.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown supports the creation of human-animal
or "admixed" embryos but some Roman Catholic members of his
government oppose the research. Brown allowed members of parliament
to vote by conscience rather than on party lines.
"If we want to sustain stem cell research and bring new cures and
treatments to millions of people, I believe admixed embryos are
necessary," Brown argued in a newspaper article.
The human fertilisation and embryology bill prohibits the transfer
of the embryos to a human or animal and says they cannot be used
for research beyond 14 days.
The bill, which updates 1990 laws, is at committee stage when
amendments are tabled and will be subject to a final vote in coming
weeks.
Two groups of scientists have already been given permission to
create human-animal admixed embryos. The bill legalises their
research within set guidelines.
Some researchers say allowing admixed embryos would open more
avenues as they seek cures for conditions like motor neurone
disease or Parkinson's. They say their creation would help ease a
deficit of donated human eggs for stem cell research.
But other scientists and religious leaders say that creating
human-animal embryos is unethical, and using them for research is a
blind alley that won't cure disease. One Catholic cardinal called
the research "Frankenstein science".
"Saviour siblings"
David King, director of the campaign group Human Genetics
Alert, said he feared sufferers of Alzheimer's and other diseases
were being offered false hope.
"It is very sad that all these patient groups have been hyped up to
believe in this stuff. They are going to be very disappointed. It
is very unfair," he told reporters.
Parliamentarians also defeated an amendment which would have banned
the creation of "saviour siblings" - babies born from embryos
selected through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) because they are a
tissue match for a sibling with a genetic condition.
Supporters say this will help children who cannot find matching
tissue donors, but critics worry about the impact on children who
have been born to improve a sibling's health, particularly if the
treatment fails.
The embryology debate will continue on Tuesday when members of
parliament will vote on moves to end the need for IVF clinics to
consider a child's need for a father.
This would ease restrictions on lesbian couples and single women
but opponents argue that a child needs a father.
Parliament will also vote on Tuesday on abortion laws. Some MPs are
seeking to lower the 24-week time limit for abortions. Brown
favours the status quo.
UK backs human-animal embryos
Published: 9:56PM Monday May 19, 2008 Source: Reuters
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