The cloning revolution: UK Ministers to back controversial change to law*

Within 10 years, doctors could transplant embryos created by three
'parents' – so eliminating genes that lead to life-threatening
conditions – under plans to be debated by MPs tomorrow. Opponents fear
this will pave the way for human cloning. Marie Woolf

Published: 18 November 2007

Babies made by cloning techniques from the DNA of two women could be
born within 10 years as ministers prepare to give the green light for
embryos produced by biological material from three "parents". A new law,
to be debated in the House of Commons tomorrow, opens the door for such
hybrid eggs to be implanted in women.

The novel procedure is designed to find a cure for mitochondrial
disease, a range of life-threatening conditions that affect one in
10,000 people.

The development has delighted scientists who say it will usher in a new
wave of groundbreaking genetic research that could prevent thousands of
children from being born with debilitating diseases.

But Christian groups and campaigners concerned about developments in
human genetics have reacted with horror at what they see as the
beginning of human cloning and the approval of "Frankenstein science".

Parliament is expected to split over a clause in the Human Embryology
and Fertilisation Bill. Many MPs say the clause will open the door for a
new generation of life-saving research to combat mitochondrial disease
which can lead to epilepsy, diabetes and fatal damage to vital organs.
Nevertheless, any move to allow the creation of a child with the
technique will almost certainly spark a row in the House of Commons and
protests outside.

The controversial clause will permit embryos to be created from the
nucleus of a woman's egg, her partner's sperm and another woman's
donated mitochondria, which surround the egg's nucleus and are vital for
cell growth. The procedure has so far been carried out only in
laboratories. Researchers at the North of England Stem Cell Research
Centre, Newcastle, who are leaders in the field, believe that within
five years the procedure could be used to carry out trials to create babies.

Professor Alison Murdoch, head of the department of reproductive
medicine at Newcastle University, said the Bill would take into account
anticipated scientific advances in genetics. "The current work involves
transplanting the healthy nucleus from a fertilised egg with damaged
mitochondria into a donor egg with healthy mitochondria. We continue to
investigate whether transplanting the nucleus from an unfertilised
'unhealthy' egg into an egg before fertilisation would be as effective.

"We are not yet at the stage of clinical trials but we would anticipate
that in the lifetime of this Bill we would be. It's a cure for
mitochondrial diseases we are working on," she said.

MPs and scientists are delighted that the Bill, which will regulate
scientific procedures involving embryos, does not outlaw the practice
and allows future MPs to vote on it without a new Act being drafted.

Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat science spokesman and a former GP,
said: " It would be wrong to outlaw this potential treatment now, since
it would be at least 10 years before there is another chance to repeal
such a ban. But it undoubtedly raises new and complex issues." The move
means that, unlike other genetic breakthroughs, clinical trials would
not require a new Bill. The Government could pass a regulation on a
simple parliamentary vote.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates such
research, said the new Bill would mean that the law was up to date with
scientific developments. "We now need Parliament to provide an updated
framework for regulation of the sector to meet the challenges of the
years to come," said a spokesman.

Professor Marcus Pembrey of Progress Educational Trust and emeritus
professor at University College London, said the Bill offered a
potential lifeline to families hit by mitochondrial disease. "The
important thing about the Bill is it doesn't close the door for those
families with mitochondrial disease. These families suffer more than
anyone because all their children are at risk of suffering serious
disease. There are thousands who die from this. This is a very
politically wise and sensible way of going forward. It is going to give
the green light to research."

But opponents say the Bill contradicts a law that banned human cloning
in 2001. Andrea Minichiello Williams, public policy director of the
Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, said: "It is our concern that this
procedure is in effect very close to that involved in human cloning."

That view was shared by Josephine Quintavalle, chair of Comment on
Reproductive Ethics. "We fear you could try to cure mitochondrial
disease and cause worse diseases. You are not mimicking nature; you are
distorting nature."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "In the future, it may be
possible to create embryos using an affected woman's egg, her partner's
sperm and healthy donated mitochondria. The current legal position is
that embryos created by artificial gametes or genetically modified
gametes could not be placed in a woman. This prevents reproductive cloning."