As part of a two-day series of reforms to update the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill in line with scientific advances, members of the UK parliament’s House of Commons are voting later today, Monday, on whether stem cell researchers should be allowed to use hybrid human and animal embryos.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is urging MPs to back the overwhelming body of scientists in favour of the vote because it has the potential to save lives. Writing in the Observer newspaper he said it could help find treatments for cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Critics say to allow such a move is unethical and interferes with nature.
The view of many scientists is that the creation of “admix” embryos, where the DNA of a human is inserted into the DNA-stripped egg of an animal produces more fertilized embryos from which valuable stem cells can be harvested. The embryos are kept for 14 days, then the stem cells are harvested, before the embryos are destroyed.
Leading medical organizations and charities, such as the UK’s Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust have written to MPs urging them to back the vote.
The demand for fertilized human embryos for harvesting stem cells currently exceeds supply, as more and more scientists investigate potential cures and treatments fo many debilitating diseases.
The Roman Catholic Church has spoken strongly against the proposed reforms, saying that tinkering with life is immoral, said the BBC.
The proposed reforms update and revise legislation on fertility treatment (“assisted reproduction”) and the regulation and licensing of the use of embryos in research and treatments. According to the House of Commons summary, it is likely that amendments to abortion law will also be affected by the passage of the new Bill.
Some changes have been dropped, such as the introduction of a new authority, the Regulatory Authority for Tissues and Embryos (RATE).
According to BBC News, there are four points on which MPs are being given a free vote:
- Hybrid embryos, allowing the “admix” of human and animal tissue: the vote for this issue will be this evening, scheduled for 18.30 BST.
- Saviour siblings: Allowing embryos to be selected on the basis that they are a tissue match for a sick older sibling. Opponents say this will lead to “unwanted” children.The vote on this will be about 22.00 BST.
- Role of fathers in IVF: removing the requirement for fertility clinics to consider the role of the father in “assisted reproduction”, effectively removing the ban on single women and lesbian couples seeking IVF. Opponents say this undermines the role of fathers. Vote is expected to be about 18.30 BST on Tuesday.
- Upper limit for abortion: the reforms propose the limit is brought down from the current 24 weeks. Supporters say 24 week old fetuses stand a greater chance of survival, but opponents say this is not backed by research. Voting on this is expected to be about 22.00 on Tuesday.
On the upper abortion limit, Brown said he was in favour of leaving it at 24 weeks, while Conservative leader David Cameron said he was in favour of reducing it.
Cameron said at the weekend that in his view the law should be updated, and he wanted to “see the research go forward”. He said he would be voting in favour of hybrid embryos and allowing saviour siblings but he would be voting against some of the things “that won’t be necessary”.
Sources: BBC News, UK Parliament.
Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD