MPs vote in favour of hybrid embryo research
22 May 2008
MPs voted 336 to 176 against an amendment to the draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, which would have prevented researchers creating 'human admixed embryos', cells containing animal and human material.
The debate follows months of active engagement by scientists, research organisations and patient groups, who argued that the research is essential for studying debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease and furthering research in embryology and fertility. Opponents argued that the research was unethical and against nature.
The MPs' decision has been welcome by Dr Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, who said: "We are extremely pleased that MPs have supported the provisions in the Bill on human admixed embryos. This will ensure that all avenues of stem cell research remain available within a tightly regulated framework. This has been an important debate. In arriving at this outcome, we hope that both MPs and the public have a better understanding of the science around human admixed embryos and the importance of this research."
MPs also voted against a ban on 'saviour siblings', babies born from embryos selected to offer a tissue match for a sick brother or sister, and also against an attempt to reduce the legal limit for abortions to 20 weeks from the current 24 weeks.
MPs are expected to debate the complete HFE Bill in early June, following detailed discussion in Committee. If successful, the Bill will then return to the House of Lords for approval.
