The House of Lords has voted to allow the creation of animal-human embryos for medical research. Proposals to permit so-called ‘saviour siblings’ were also approved.
An attempt to ban animal-human embryos was defeated by 268 votes to 96. A vote to outlaw ‘saviour siblings’ was also lost.
To see how Peers voted on the animal-human embryos amendment, click here.
Some scientists argue that the animal-human embryos, which the Government recently re-branded ‘human admixed embryos’, are needed because medical research faces a shortage of human eggs.
But several Peers spoke in favour of a ban. Lord Tebbit told the House: “These are matters that are more of ethics than of technology. Because something is scientifically possible does not mean that it should be done.
“Because it might bring great benefits to particular people does not mean it should be done.
“If we accept arguments of that kind we are effectively saying that the end justifies the means.”
Christian Peer, Lady O’Cathain, led the debate on banning the creation of so-called ‘saviour siblings’ to provide spare-part tissues for the treatment of an existing child.
She said in the debate: “To manufacture a person in this way is to offend against the respect that is due to the integrity of that person, no matter how compelling the goal of trying to cure.”
Lady O’Cathain’s amendment was defeated by 118 votes to 62.
To see how Peers voted on the ‘saviour sibling’ amendment, click here.