Primarolo: Hybrid embryo research necessary

Health minister Dawn Primarolo argued hybrid embryo research was necessary because of the shortage of human eggs in the Commons yesterday.

"The bill sets out a clear definition of human admixed embryos and will ensure that all such embryos are regulated and may not be created without a licence," she said.

"The government amendments reaffirm the purpose of the scientific definition in the bill. Any licence application to create human admixed embryos for research will need to prove to the HFEA that the proposed use of the embryo is necessary—not simply that the scientists want to try it—and that no other route of research would enable the development of the science to understand the development of the treatment.

"The use of animal eggs will provide a valuable resource to embryo research scientists, giving them the ability to perfect the techniques that could one day help to develop our understanding of diseases and to speed up the development of their cures."