Britain in key vote on controversial human-animal embryo research
London - The British parliament was Monday preparing for a vote on the use of hybrid embryos for research in a move that could make Britain the first major European country to legalize the controversial technique.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has given his explicit backing to the creation of human-animal embryos, which he says could save millions of lives, while the churches and a number of prominent government ministers have condemned the plans as "immoral."
British scientists last month became the first in Europe to create such a chimeric embryo by placing the nuclei of human cells into empty cow eggs.
The resulting embryos are more than 99 per cent human, with a small animal component of 0.1 per cent. They will be allowed to grow for 14 days before being destroyed.
The vote Monday evening is to determine whether such research should continue, or be banned, in Britain. Critics have said it is "Frankenstein science."
Scientists argue that the research could help in the fight against such conditions as motor neuron disease, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
Brown, whose 22-month-old son Fraser, is suffering from cystic fibrosis, has appealed to members of parliament (MPs) to "help ourselves and future generations," but said he has "deep respect" for those who reject the move because of "religious conviction."
Two licences to create this type of hybrid embryo have already been granted by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority watchdog in Britain, following the production of such an embryo by a team at Newcastle University in April.
Outside Europe, scientists in the US, China and South Korea have created human-animal embryos, also known as cytoplasmic hybrids or "cybrids."
The British bill is being discussed to update current legislation which goes back to 1990. Because of its delicate nature, MPs have been given a free vote and will not be tied to a party line.
Parliament is also expected to vote on the issue of so-called saviour siblings - babies born because they are a tissue match for a sick older sibling that can be treated with cells from the baby's bone marrow or umbilical cord.
The embryology bill also includes a provision that would grant automatic parental rights to gay and lesbian couples, as well as singles, who conceive by sperm donation or surrogacy.
On Tuesday, MP's are scheduled to vote on proposals aimed at tightening Britain's liberal abortion laws, by deciding whether to reduce the current upper legal limits for abortions from 24 weeks to 22 weeks or even less. (dpa)