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Embryo research backed by MPs MPs have voted in favour of hybrid embryo research in a Parliamentary 22 Mays 2008 16:02 MPs have voted in favour of hybrid embryo research in a Parliamentary vote last Monday evening. A cross party attempt to ban research and attempts to change the law on embryo research for the first time in 20 years, was defeated by a free vote of 336 to 176. A number of Catholic cabinet ministers voted for a ban on research, among them Ruth Kelly and Des Browne. The Conservatives also had a number of prominent MPs against the vote, among them former Tory leader William Hague and Shadow Home Secretary David Davies. Both Prime Minster Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron were opposed to a ban on research. A ban to also ban 'saviour siblings', where a baby is conceived in order to save a sick sibling, was also outvoted by 342 to 163. The vote came at the end of impassioned debates in the committee stage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which is aimed at updating laws from 1990 in line with scientific advances. MPs also voted on Tuesday on the issue of cutting the abortion time limit. Both Gordon Brown and David Cameron have backed the use of hybrid embryos which scientists say can help in the treatment of debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Ex-minister Edward Leigh, who led the fight against the creation of hybrid "admixed" embryos, saying they were "ethically wrong and almost certainly medically useless". Mr Leigh said there was "no evidence yet to substantiate" claims that the research on embryos could lead to treatment for degenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. If it passes, the Bill would allow regulated research using hybrid or "admix" embryos, where the nucleus of a human cell is inserted into animal eggs. The resulting embryos would be kept for up to 14 days to harvest stem cells. Health Minister Dawn Primarolo sought to reassure those uneasy about the research, saying that any research done using human embryos "must satisfy the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority that it was necessary or desirable". She added that no 'admix' embryo would be implanted into a woman or animal. However, Mr Leigh said: "We do not believe that regulation is enough. We believe this is a step too far and therefore should be banned. "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." Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn