BMJ  2008;336:1149 (24 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39588.463148.DB (published 21 May 2008)

News

MPs vote to allow creation of "admixed" embryos

Clare Dyer

1 BMJ

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Scientists will be allowed to create "admixed" human and animal embryos for research in the United Kingdom after MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move this week.

MPs voted 336 to 176 against an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would have banned the creation of such embryos.

A second amendment, to outlaw the use of so called true hybrids, which could contain as much as 50% animal matter, was defeated by 286 votes to 223.

Scientists want to be able to use admixed embryos because of the shortage of human eggs for research. The embryos will have to be destroyed after 14 days, but scientists hope the stem cells that can be harvested could lead to advances in the treatment of a range of illnesses, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and motor neurone diseases.

The matter is one of three controversial provisions in the bill, introduced to . . . [Full text of this article]


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