Human-animal embryos to be allowed

Ministers have dropped a proposed ban on human-animal hybrid embryos, despite opposition from Christian and ethical organisations.

18 May 2007

Ministers have dropped a proposed ban on human-animal hybrid embryos, despite opposition from Christian and ethical organisations.

The Government has published a draft Bill which will allow the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos by licensed scientists for research into serious disease, superceding a White Paper published in December which originally called for a ban on this kind of research.

The draft Bill also now allows for human-animal chimeras, where cells are physically mixed.

The Evangelical Alliance’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr Don Horrocks, said a concerned public should make their views about this issue known to the Government as soon as possible.

“There was a massive outcry over the genetic modification of crops,” he said.

“How much more should there be a public outcry over the genetic modification of human beings.”

The Christian Medical Fellowship – Britain’s largest group of Christian doctors – is opposed to the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos and has called for science to operate within ethical boundaries.

The Church of Scotland’s Society, Religion and Technology Project has also labelled the creation of chimeric reproductive entities of mixed status “unnecessary, scientifically very uncertain and potentially risky.”

For more information about this issue: Christian Medical Fellowship or The Church of Scotland's Society, Religion and Technology Project