Human Fertilization, Embryology Bill Approved By House Of Commons

London, England (AHN) - On a vote of 336 to 176, British MPs approved on Monday a bill that would permit radical stem cell research involving the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos.

MPs opposing the bill warned that the U.K. runs the risk of becoming a rogue state. Those in favor of it argued that stem cell research has a big potential to help save millions of lives and eradicate certain diseases completely.

Britain is set to become a global leader in stem cell research following the controversial approval of the bill, in which MPs crossed party lines in favor of a conscience vote.

Among those who opposed the passage of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill was the Catholic Church in Scotland. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, its leader, said experiments involving the creation of embryos using animal cells, principally from cows and rabbits, was tantamount to Frankenstein science and goes against the sanctity of human life.

Conservative MP Edward Leigh warned, quoted by the Guardian Unlimited, "We're like children playing with landmines without any concept on the danger of the technology that we are handling. We can not and should not be spliced together with the animal kingdom."

The measure permits British scientists to inject the nuclei of human cells into animal eggs, which would create hybrid embryos that would have a maximum life of two weeks before being destroyed.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown supported the bill.