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MPs to vote on hybrid embryo laws MPs to vote on hybrid embryo laws
(about 1 hour later)
MPs are voting later on whether to allow scientists to continue to carry out controversial stem cell research using hybrid human-animal embryos.MPs are voting later on whether to allow scientists to continue to carry out controversial stem cell research using hybrid human-animal embryos.
Gordon Brown has urged MPs to back the work, saying it is a "moral endeavour" that could save thousands of lives.Gordon Brown has urged MPs to back the work, saying it is a "moral endeavour" that could save thousands of lives.
Scientists say it could lead to disease treatments, but critics argue that mixing human and animal tissue tampers with nature and is immoral.Scientists say it could lead to disease treatments, but critics argue that mixing human and animal tissue tampers with nature and is immoral.
MPs are voting on a series of reforms to embryology laws that date from 1990.MPs are voting on a series of reforms to embryology laws that date from 1990.
The measures, part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, are aimed at updating laws in line with scientific advances.The measures, part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, are aimed at updating laws in line with scientific advances.
They will be voted on in the House of Commons over the next two days.They will be voted on in the House of Commons over the next two days.
MPs are being given a free vote on four controversial parts of the bill after warnings that some Catholic MPs and cabinet ministers were ready to rebel.MPs are being given a free vote on four controversial parts of the bill after warnings that some Catholic MPs and cabinet ministers were ready to rebel.
The four areas are:The four areas are:
    • The creation of hybrid embryos: These are mixes of animal and human tissue. Scientists say it would help tackle diseases such Parkinson's. Opponents say it is tampering with nature and is unethical. Debate from 1530 BST Monday, vote due at about 1830 BST.
    • The creation of hybrid embryos: These are mixes of animal and human tissue. Scientists say it would help tackle diseases such Parkinson's. Opponents say it is tampering with nature and is unethical. Debate from 1530 BST Monday, vote due at about 1830 BST.
    • Saviour siblings: These are babies born from embryos selected because they are a tissue match for a sick older brother or sister with a genetic condition. Supporters say it helps children who have exhausted all other hope of treatment. Opponents fear children are created as saviour siblings alone, not because they are a wanted child. Debate on Monday from about 1830 BST, with vote at about 2200 BST.
    • Saviour siblings: These are babies born from embryos selected because they are a tissue match for a sick older brother or sister with a genetic condition. Supporters say it helps children who have exhausted all other hope of treatment. Opponents fear children are created as saviour siblings alone, not because they are a wanted child. Debate on Monday from about 1830 BST, with vote at about 2200 BST.
    • Role of fathers in fertility treatment: Would end the requirement for IVF clinics to consider the "welfare" of any child created in terms of need for a father. Those in favour say it would end bar to lesbian couples and single women. Opponents say it denigrates the role of fathers in a child's life. Debate from 1530 BST Tuesday, with vote at about 1830 BST.
    • Role of fathers in fertility treatment: Would end the requirement for IVF clinics to consider the "welfare" of any child created in terms of need for a father. Those in favour say it would end bar to lesbian couples and single women. Opponents say it denigrates the role of fathers in a child's life. Debate from 1530 BST Tuesday, with vote at about 1830 BST.
    • The upper limit for abortion: Amendments have been put down to the bill to cut from 24 weeks the time limit for abortions. Supporters say babies born at 24 weeks are increasingly likely to survive. Opponents says studies do not support that. Debate on Tuesday from 1830 BST, with votes at about 2200 BST.
    • The upper limit for abortion: Amendments have been put down to the bill to cut from 24 weeks the time limit for abortions. Supporters say babies born at 24 weeks are increasingly likely to survive. Opponents says studies do not support that. Debate on Tuesday from 1830 BST, with votes at about 2200 BST.
      • The Roman Catholic Church has branded the use of hybrid embryos as "monstrous" and says tinkering with life in this way is immoral.The Roman Catholic Church has branded the use of hybrid embryos as "monstrous" and says tinkering with life in this way is immoral.
      Evan Harris MP puts the case for further researchEvan Harris MP puts the case for further research
      Catholic bishops in Britain and the Irish Republic have given £25,000 to scientists using adult stem cells, which is less controversial than using immature ones.Catholic bishops in Britain and the Irish Republic have given £25,000 to scientists using adult stem cells, which is less controversial than using immature ones.
      Such cells can be used to create brain, skin, heart and other tissue for treating diseases.Such cells can be used to create brain, skin, heart and other tissue for treating diseases.
      The bill would allow research using hybrid or "admix" embryos, where the nuclei of a human cell is inserted into an animal egg. The bill would allow research using hybrid or "admix" embryos, where the nuclei of a human cell are inserted into an animal egg.
      The resulting embryos would be kept for up to 14 days to harvest stem cells.The resulting embryos would be kept for up to 14 days to harvest stem cells.
      After making a strong personal case for using hybrid embryos at the weekend, Mr Brown is expected to be backed on this part of the bill.After making a strong personal case for using hybrid embryos at the weekend, Mr Brown is expected to be backed on this part of the bill.
      Conservative MP Edward Leigh puts the case against further researchConservative MP Edward Leigh puts the case against further research
      However, one health minister refused to predict what would happen in the vote on reducing the upper time limit for abortions, down to a possible 20 weeks.However, one health minister refused to predict what would happen in the vote on reducing the upper time limit for abortions, down to a possible 20 weeks.
      Mr Brown said last week that he supported the 24-week limit, while Conservative leader David Cameron said he favoured a cut.Mr Brown said last week that he supported the 24-week limit, while Conservative leader David Cameron said he favoured a cut.
      Writing in the Observer newspaper, Mr Brown called on MPs to back the use of hybrid embryos, saying such scientific advances could speed up treatment for cancer and conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.Writing in the Observer newspaper, Mr Brown called on MPs to back the use of hybrid embryos, saying such scientific advances could speed 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."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.
      Mr Cameron said he would be voting in favour of admix embryos and the creation of saviour siblings.Mr Cameron said he would be voting in favour of admix embryos and the creation of saviour siblings.
      Speaking as he visited Birmingham, he said: "My own approach to this is the law needs updating and the importance of science and research and getting to grips with genetic disease... I want to see the research go forward."Speaking as he visited Birmingham, he said: "My own approach to this is the law needs updating and the importance of science and research and getting to grips with genetic disease... I want to see the research go forward."
      However, he said he would be voting "against some of the things that won't be necessary".However, he said he would be voting "against some of the things that won't be necessary".
      Leading medical research charities, including the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council, have issued an open letter also urging MPs to back such research, saying advances in the "understanding and treatment of diseases must not be closed down".Leading medical research charities, including the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council, have issued an open letter also urging MPs to back such research, saying advances in the "understanding and treatment of diseases must not be closed down".
      BILL'S KEY VOTES Use of hybrid embryos - Monday'Saviour siblings' - MondayRole of fathers in IVF - TuesdayAbortion limits - Tuesday MPs face big issuesResearch 'gives me hope'Q&A: Hybrid embryosBILL'S KEY VOTES Use of hybrid embryos - Monday'Saviour siblings' - MondayRole of fathers in IVF - TuesdayAbortion limits - Tuesday MPs face big issuesResearch 'gives me hope'Q&A: Hybrid embryos
      But Conservative MP David Burrowes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that using hybrid embryos was not the only route for research, adding that it was possible to combine "good science" and "good ethics".But Conservative MP David Burrowes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that using hybrid embryos was not the only route for research, adding that it was possible to combine "good science" and "good ethics".
      Scientists at Newcastle University announced last month that they had created the first part-human, part-animal hybrid embryos in the UK.Scientists at Newcastle University announced last month that they had created the first part-human, part-animal hybrid embryos in the UK.
      They were created by injecting DNA derived from human skin cells into eggs taken from cows' ovaries which had had virtually all their genetic material removed.They were created by injecting DNA derived from human skin cells into eggs taken from cows' ovaries which had had virtually all their genetic material removed.
      Researchers say these human-animal "admixed" embryos could help solve the current problem of the lack of human eggs from which to generate embryos.Researchers say these human-animal "admixed" embryos could help solve the current problem of the lack of human eggs from which to generate embryos.
      HAVE YOUR SAYThere are ethical alternatives to what is, in effect, creating a Frankenstein hybridPaul, BelfastSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThere are ethical alternatives to what is, in effect, creating a Frankenstein hybridPaul, BelfastSend us your comments
      The vote on hybrid embryos and "saviour siblings" will take place on Monday, while the vote on the role of fathers in IVF treatment and abortion limits will be held on Tuesday.The vote on hybrid embryos and "saviour siblings" will take place on Monday, while the vote on the role of fathers in IVF treatment and abortion limits will be held on Tuesday.
      If the proposals are approved, the new legislation could come into force next year.If the proposals are approved, the new legislation could come into force next year.