Bid to ban hybrid embryos fails (UK) [View All]

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

A cross-party attempt to outlaw the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos has been defeated by MPs, by 336 votes to 176.

Tory ex-minister Edward Leigh, who led the move, had argued the technique was "a step too far and should be banned".

But Gordon Brown had argued that the work was a "moral endeavour" that could save thousands of lives.

MPs are now debating whether to allow "saviour siblings" whose genetic material could help sick relatives.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7407589.stm

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That's a fairly large majority. Another amendment to the bill, to be debated tomorrow, will try to reduce the limit for abortions from 24 to 22 weeks (a danger to the woman's life, or significant foetal abnormality, will still be allowed as a reason after that); some think that vote will be close, but I suspect with this amendment failing, there may not be so many MPs listening to the religious arguments as first thought.