MPs give go ahead for embryo research

BY PHILIP WEBSTER AND GREG HURST

CONTROVERSIAL research involving the cloning of human embryos was backed
by MPs after an impassioned Commons debate last night.
After a rare free vote MPs supported an amendment to the Human
Fertilisation and Embryo Act by 366 votes to 174. It could pave the way to finding a
cure for chronic degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

The decision came after Yvette Cooper, the Public Health Minister,
appealed for scientists to be given the go-ahead for stem cell research, denying
that it was a - slippery slope - to human cloning. The vote came in the face
of fierce opposition from "pro-life" campaigners.

Ms Cooper told the Commons that the research could hold the key to healing
within the human body, giving hope not only to those suffering from
degenerative diseases but also cancer and heart disease victims. -There
are immense potential benefits from allowing this research to go ahead,
particularly for those suffering from dreadful chronic disease.-

She said there were strong reasons to back the regulations, which were a
- sensible extension - of the existing law and would be subject to a
strict regulatory framework and limited to embryos up to 14 days old.

Strongly denying that the move could lead to human reproductive cloning,
Ms Cooper insisted: -Parliament is not being asked to cross the Rubicon
today. Human reproductive cloning is illegal and must stay illegal. Under these
regulations it will stay illegal. The idea of cloning babies is completely
unacceptable to the House and public opinion as well.-

In a well-attended session the debate cut across traditional party lines.
Although most Labour MPs strongly supported the change, 73 did not. Some
Conservatives backed the research.

Liam Fox, the Shadow Health Secretary, voiced his personal opposition to
the use of embryo cells, saying he was not convinced there was no alternative.
Dr Fox, a former general practitioner, said: 'The benefits of the medical revolution are immense from limb grafts and transplantation to the
elimination of diseases. But the medical revolution carries with it moral,
ethical and philosophical consequences and our ability to deal with these
matters sometimes lags behind our technical knowledge.

- Just because we can do something does not mean we have to. We need to
establish a clear framework within which to operate. -  He said that the
rules should have been introduced in a new Bill rather than in amendments to
existing legislation.

Copyright © 2000 Times Newspapers Ltd.

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