MPs are to vote later today on whether to allow scientists to continue to use hybrid human-animal embryos in stem cell research.

The measures form part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which is aimed at updating the law in line with scientific advances. The current laws date back to 1990.

Gordon Brown has publicly backed the work, and is urging MPs to follow suit. He said it is a “moral endeavour” that could save thousands of lives.

Scientists say it could lead to new treatments for some of the most debilitating diseases, but critics argue that mixing human and animal tissue tampers with nature and is immoral.

The House of Commons will vote on these measures, and others as part of the Bill over the next two days.

As well as the creation of hybrid embryos, MPs will also be voting on “saviour siblings” - children created with a tissue match to save a sick brother or sister, as well as measures to give lesbian couples and single women equal access to IVF treatment. On Tuesday, the House of Commons will vote on amendments aimed at reducing the upper limit for abortions from 24 weeks to 22 or 20 weeks.

The prime minister only allowed Labour MPs a vote on the four controversial parts of the bill after warnings that some Catholic MPs and cabinet ministers were ready to rebel.

The Roman Catholic Church has branded the use of hybrid embryos as “monstrous” and says tinkering with life in this way is immoral.

Gordon Brown recently called on MPs to back the use of hybrid embryos, writing in the Observer he added that 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.

External links
Gordon Brown in the Observer - ‘Why I believe stem cell researchers deserve our backing’