SCIENTISTS will press ahead with contentious research using human-animal hybrids after MPs last night overwhelmingly rejected a blanket ban on using the technology. In a free vote, just 176 MPs backed a ban, with 336 against. Supporters of so-called “stem cell” research argue that it opens the door to cures for conditions including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
But the issue has split political parties and even the Cabinet, with three Roman Catholic Ministers – including Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy – voting against.
MPs were given a free vote on the question, one of four divisive aspects of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill – the first attempt to change the rules since 1990 – after Prime Minister Gordon Brown was told Ministers and several Labour MPs were willing to rebel as a matter of conscience.
Mr Brown is a keen supporter of the medical research; his son, Fraser, suffers from cystic fibrosis. Tory leader David Cameron also opposed a ban.
The bio-science technique involves implanting a human nucleus inside an animal cell, creating an “admix embryo”. Stem cells are then harvested from these embryos – which are 99.9% human – and scientists believe theses cells could hold the key to significant medical breakthroughs.
Research is currently being held up by the shortage of human eggs to create stem cells.
But the Catholic Church has described the idea as “monstrous” and several MPs yesterday called it a step too far.
In a further vote last night, a ban on the use of “true hybrids” – 50-50 human and animal – was defeated by a much smaller majority of just 63. Even some leading scientists have declared themselves uncomfortable with the idea of using true hybrids for medical research.
Mr Murphy, along with Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and Defence and Scottish Secretary Des Browne, voted in favour of banning both forms of embryo research. Europe Minister Jim Murphy also voted in favour of a ban.
But Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik, who voted against a ban, said: “I’m satisfied that the house has done the right thing. While I fully respect the ethical concerns of colleagues who oppose this kind of research, there is also an ethical cost to closing off a potential route to curing motor neurone and other diseases.”
The MP, who is president of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, added: “I take the clear view that saving thousands of people from a dreadful and avoidable death justifies this change.”
Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, also voted against a ban. He said last night: “I’m pleased with the result; I think everybody voted with their conscience and it was a very intelligent, clear-sighted debate.
“Quite often people are frightened of medical advances but there are real possibilities here, and we shouldn’t put unnecessary obstacles in the way of progress.”
But Tory MP Edward Leigh, who tabled the motion calling for a ban on admix embryos, said the vote risked turning Britain into a “rogue state”. Twenty-one other countries have banned the technology.
Attention now shifts to further contentious debates on the Bill today. Backbenchers have tabled a series of amendments calling for the current 24-week limit for abortions to be lowered. This will also be a free vote.
Plans to remove the need for a father figure to be considered before IVF treatment is offered – effectively giving equal rights to lesbian couples – will also be discussed. MPs are thought unlikely to approve of this change.
The Department for Health said the shortage of human eggs available for research presented a “significant barrier” to stem cell research and hybrid embryos were a “pragmatic” solution to the problem.
Any application to create an admix embryo will need a Government licence and scientists will need to show that “no other route of research will enable the development of the science to understand the development of the treatment”.
Chief executive of the Medical Research Council Sir Leszek Borysiewicz said the result would keep the UK at the forefront of embryo research.
“The MPs’ clear support for stem cell research follows a rigorous and thorough public debate which has helped to explore the issues involved,” he said.
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