Poll Should we allow the creation of hybrid embryos 19ed956

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Should we allow the creation of hybrid embryos?

Posted 1 yr 8 mos ago

More than 200 leading charities have written to MPs to urge them to support new laws allowing the creation of part-human part-animal embryos.

Embryo Bill sparks Labour row with church

Organisations including the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK said that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill could "greatly increase our understanding of serious medical conditions affecting millions of people".

Is it ever justifiable to tamper with human embryos?

However, opponents have accused ministers of trampling over the dignity of human life by creating "monster" cells.

Daniel Hannan: Make every vote a conscience vote

Should we allow the creation of hybrid embryos? Do we owe it to patients and their families to investigate all possible treatments for serious medical conditions?

Does the creation of hybrid embryos blur the line between humans and other species? Is it always wrong to tamper with human embryos?

And should MPs be allowed a free vote on the issue? Should religion be kept out of politics?

	Yes, Stem cell research offers the prospect of the most remarkable medical advances. It is a means of developing an understanding of the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone disease and Huntington's chorea. Progress is hampered by a shortage of human eggs from consenting IVF patients. So scientists want to harvest stem cells from embryos created by transferring human cells into eggs taken from rabbits or cows. The hybrid embryos would be destroyed within 14 days after the stem cells have been harvested for research. There is no danger of producing grotesque 'cybrid' creatures. Banning research here won't stop scientists doing the same work in other countries. A ban would damage British science. Some of our most talented workers in this field would go abroad and opportunities for the commercial development here of drugs to treat these diseases would be fewer.
	No, Public consultation undertaken by the Department of Health shows widespread public support for a ban on the creation of hybrid embryos. In a democracy this is good enough reason to forbid the research. The research blurs the distinction between animals and humans, and this is offensive. The proposed research is only a first step . The promise that 'cybrid' embryos will be destroyed after stem cells have been harvested will soon be set aside. The same arguments will be used to justify taking the process further. 'Mission creep' will result. The next step is likely to be still more offensive. Meddling with nature in this way will have unforeseeable consequences, and these are likely to be disagreeable. Scientists should not be allowed to play at being God.
	Undecided...

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