Brown says embryo research is key to life· PM defends science on eve of key vote

[Liberty Belle]

Source: The Guardian (UK)

Brown says embryo research is key to life· PM defends science on eve of key vote
· Creating hybrids 'is morally right'

Gaby Hinsliff, political editor The Observer, Sunday May 18 2008 Article
last updated at 01:40 on May 18 2008.

Gordon Brown today mounts a passionate and personal defence of scientific research using animal-human hybrid embryos as an 'inherently moral endeavour' that could save millions of lives.

Writing in today's Observer, he challenges critics in the churches and elsewhere who condemn what they regard as 'Frankenstein science', arguing that MPs 'owe it to ourselves and future generations to introduce these measures' when they vote on controversial embryology legislation this week.

The Prime Minister's interest in the issue is said by friends to be deeply personal, because his younger son, Fraser, has cystic fibrosis, a condition that could one day benefit from embryo research.

Brown supports scientists who want to create hybrid embryos in which the nuclei of human cells are inserted into animal eggs and allowed to grow for a few days. Then each embryo's immature stem cells - containing DNA that is 99 per cent human - can be harvested and used to create brain, skin, heart and other tissue for treating crippling diseases. Crucially, only hybrids can help solve problems created by a worldwide lack of donated human eggs, he argues.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/18/stemcells.medicalresearch

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It takes political courage to pen an editorial in favor of this controversial matter. I applaud Brown for shedding light on this issue and educating the public so people can voice informed opinions instead of spouting ignorance.

[matt007]

1. Way to go Gordon. Thank you

i hope it progresses. i know someone who needs it

[T_i_B]

4. It will be done on a free vote

But in all honesty I can't see Brown being voted down on this one. Not that it will do anything to cheer up Labour supporter's with the way things are going for the government at present.

[Crunchy Frog]

2. I think they're considerably less psychotic about that sort of thing in the UK.

[frog92969]

3. It must be nice

to have a leader who doesn't think science is an "affront to God".

Superstition is liable to kill us all sooner than we think.

[Aragorn]

5. superstition

is the basis of all religious ideas. Efforts to treat/cure disease are "inherently moral". I see no reason to put this to a vote.

Oh wait, I guess superstitious people will be voting too.

[NashVegas]

6. The Key to Patented Life

And chromosomes to the highest bidder.