Parliament approves hybrid embryos; abortion debate next

Catholic World News: Parliament approves hybrid embryos; abortion debate next

London, May. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The British Parliament has approved creation of "hybrid" embryos containing both human and animal tissue.

By a vote of 336- 176, Parliament defeated a proposed amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would have banned research involving hybrid embryos. Prime Minister Gordon Brown had argued that the research could yield important medical benefits. That argument apparently persuaded most members of Parliament, after the government leadership allowed a "free" vote, not enforcing party discipline on the measure.

The next important debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will involve an effort to limit legal abortion to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. ...

Comments

[VanSkaamper]

This hybrid embryo thing gives me the willies. I think we're entering "brave new world" airspace and likely committing profound abominations in the process.

[Michael W. Kruse]

We think that computer and information technology changed our lives in recent decades. I don't think this begins to compare with what we are about to encounter with biotech.

[VanSkaamper]

Indeed...and the moral and ethical issues and debates are going to be of momentous cultural impact, it seems to me. Benefits derived from breakthroughs in benign techniques and discoveries will be used to justify the exploitation of the more controversial and questionable (demented?) practices...like this hybrid thing.