Health bill gets mixed reaction from MPs

2:31pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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EMBRYO research is a hot topic at the moment because of a divisive bill going through Parliament.

If it is passed the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will amend the law about assisted reproduction treatment and embryo research.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs are allowed to vote however they want rather than towing their party line.

But Labour MPs are only permitted to vote how they want on three issues.

They are:

• The creation of hybrid "admix" embryos - by crossing animal eggs and human nuclei.

• Producing "saviour" siblings with the right tissue match to help treat brothers or sisters with genetic conditions.

• Preventing fertility clinics from refusing to treat single women and lesbians - by replacing the "need for a father" under current legislation with the "need for supportive parenting".

Reporter Robert Fisk spoke to MPs from the News Shopper area to find out their views.

Nick Raynsford, the Labour MP for Greenwich & Woolwich, will be voting in favour of the bill.

He said: "I think its measures are important and right.

"That does not mean I agree with every part of the bill.

"In practice I'm in favour of medical research that tackles the dreadful diseases that affect people."

Lewisham Deptford MP Joan Ruddock said: "I very much support the embryo research bill.

"I was a scientist myself and the scale of this does not relate to the horror stories we have heard."

The Labour MP added: "What scientists are allowed to do is very strongly regulated.

"It will help deal with some of the illnesses people suffer."

Old Bexley and Sidcup independent MP Derek Conway will vote against the bill.

He said: "I think it is going too far.

"Scientists want to push towards the ends of the earth but the merging of animal and human is not something which should be done."

Jacqui Lait has not yet decided how she will vote.

The Conservative MP for Beckenham said: "I wait to see the bill as it comes forward.

"There are serious issues that need to be discussed.

"It is going to be in May or June and there going to be much water under the bridge before then."