Scientists will be allowed to create “admixed” human and animal embryos for research in the United Kingdom after MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move this week.
MPs voted 336 to 176 against an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would have banned the creation of such embryos.
A second amendment, to outlaw the use of so called true hybrids, which could contain as much as 50% animal matter, was defeated by 286 votes to 223.
Scientists want to be able to use admixed embryos because of the shortage of human eggs for research. The embryos will have to be destroyed after 14 days, but scientists hope the stem cells that can be harvested could lead to advances in the treatment of a range of illnesses, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and motor neurone diseases.
The matter is one of three controversial provisions in the bill, introduced to bring the existing 1990 law up to date with technological advances. An attempt to ban the creation of genetically matched “saviour siblings” to provide tissue to cure a sick brother or sister was also defeated, by 342 to 163.
The third issue to raise strong feelings is a provision to abolish the current requirement for infertility treatment centres to consider a child’s need for a father before agreeing to carry out treatment. As the BMJ went to press, the issue had not yet been debated and put to a vote.
“Pro-life” MPs are also using the bill to try to achieve a reduction in the current 24 weeks limit for abortion. Amendments providing for a range of lower limits, down to 12 weeks, were also still to be voted on when the BMJ went to press.
MPs were allowed a free vote on the four matters, and three government ministers who are Roman Catholics—Ruth Kelly, Des Browne, and Paul Murphy—voted against the use of human-animal embryos. The prime minister, Gordon Brown, who has a son with cystic fibrosis, and the Conservative leader, David Cameron, who has a disabled son, voted in favour.
Edward Leigh, the Conservative Catholic MP who led the opposition to the use of hybrid embryos, told the House of Commons that the move would cross an “entirely new ethical boundary” and turn the UK into a scientific “rogue state.”
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, said: “The MPs’ clear support for stem cell research follows a rigorous and thorough public debate, which has helped to explore the issues involved. The public can have confidence in the tight regulations that govern embryo and stem cell research.
“It brings the right balance of opportunities to make headway to find cures for some of the most pernicious diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, whilst ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place through the law and the regulator.”