More than two thirds of MPs back controversial goverment amendments on embryo research

13 April 2012

Dawn Primarolo said parents of very premature babies would be given false hope if the abortion limit were cut

In a poll for the Guardian, MPs voted 63 to 26 in favour of hybrid embryos; 56 to 21 for "saviour" siblings; and 56 to 26 to remove the "need for a father" in IVF treatment.

The poll questioned 53 Labour MPs, 37 Conservatives, 17 Liberal Democrats and two from other political parties.

As MPs prepare to vote on several proposals, Health minister Dawn Primarolo today dismissed the argument to cut the legal limit for abortion as it entered Parliament.

She said parents of very premature babies would be given false hope if the abortion limit was reduced from 24 weeks.

Ms Primarolo said claims by anti-abortion MPs that foetuses were commonly viable at 22 and 23 weeks were misleading and suggested premature babies had a better chance of survival than is really the case.

"I think that the issue is, most importantly, raising hope when the science doesn't indicate that it should be there," she said.

"There is a danger of giving hope to desperate parents, who are in difficult enough circumstances anyway."

Ms Primarolo was speaking ahead of the first Commons vote on the issue for 18 years. Next week MPs will vote on several proposed amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which calls for the abortion limit to be cut to between 12 and 22 weeks.

Supporters argue that improving survival rates among babies below 24 weeks make the present threshold unethical. But Ms Primarolo said research published last week underlined there was no scientific case for reduction.

The study, led by Professor David Field of the University of Leicester, found that, while survival rates had improved significantly at 24 and 25 weeks gestation, there had been no change at 22 and 23 weeks.

Labour rebels hoping to defeat the Government's controversial plans for embryo research were given a boost yesterday after concerns were expressed by leading fertility expert, Lord Robert Winston.

Lord Winston said it was "no shakes" if scientists were not allowed to engineer part-human, part-animal embryos for medical experiments.

He also said he was "unhappy" about the creation of "saviour siblings" to help seriously ill or disabled brothers and sisters.

Lord Robert Winston, a world expert on fertility, said it was 'no shakes' if scientists were not allowed to use part-human, part-animal embryos for experiments

His comments were echoed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who drew parallels between the creation of babies with the intention of using their genetic material as a possible cure for sick relatives with "rape, torture and blackmail".

Their words were welcomed by pro-life Labour MPs who are threatening to challenge Gordon Brown's authority today over controversial plans for embryo research.

In a poll for the Guardian, MPs voted 63 to 26 in favour of hybrid embryos; 56 to 21 for "saviour" siblings; and 56 to 26 to remove the "need for a father" in IVF treatment.

Today's Commons Second Reading debate and vote are on the broad principles of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

However, the main battle will come next week when MPs have the chance to vote on detailed amendments to the legislation.

It is then that MPs will get their chance to vote on whether to lower the abortion time limit, with a series of amendments expected variously proposing new limits of 22, 20, 18, 16 and 13 weeks.

Up to 60 rebels are thought to be ready to join a revolt against the Bill, which is set to become one of the biggest political battlegrounds of recent years.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister today, Parliament's all-party Pro-Life group lashed out his "disastrous course of action".

Backbencher Jim Dobbin, chairman of the group, said some MPs had been put in the "untenable position" of voting against their own Government.

However, he later said he was "heartened" by Lord Winston's comments.

He said: "It is good to hear his concerns stated so explicitly. I know he has had his doubts about saviour siblings and hybrid embryos but he should have spoken out much more clearly in the past."

In an interview at the weekend, Lord Winston said defied scientists who were demanding the ability to create human-animal hybrid embryos for research into illnesses such as cancer, leukaemia and Alzheimer's Disease.

He said: "If the hybrid embryo thing doesn't go through, it in no way shakes the body of science. It's not about embryos that can survive, or viable monsters. Nothing like that.

"It's a nice adjunct; a useful extra. But if we don't have that resource, it won't fundamentally alter the science of stem cell biology."

He also said that "saviour siblings" created to provide treatment for ill brothers or sisters could be put under "undue pressure" to give bone marrow or organs.

His comments came as Labour rebels accused the Prime Minister of "misrepresenting" a shake-up of fertility laws in a bid to head off a revolt before the crucial Commons showdown on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Mr Brown is determined to pass the legislation and has already been forced into a partial climbdown by offering a free vote on its most contentious parts.

As part of his campaign to force through the Bill he has also written to every Labour MP urging their support.

However, in a strongly-worded reply - seen by the Daily Mail - rebels warn that they are still "deeply concerned" and demand more free votes.

Labour MPs will be able to follow their consciences on the creation of part-human, part-animal embryos for medical experiments; abolition of the need for IVF clinics to consider a child's need for a father; and whether to give the green light to "saviour siblings".

But all will be ordered to back the entire Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill on the final vote.

Mr Dobbin said: "It is all very well offering free votes on individual issues.

"But if these issues are not dealt with by the final reading and our amendments are not accepted, then the Bill goes through. It is futile and effectively negates the free votes."

Mr Dobbin and five colleagues, including ex-minister Tom Clarke, Geraldine Smith, Claire Curtis-Thomas, Joe Benton and David Drew, believe the new law goes much further than Mr Brown suggested.

They wrote. "Whilst we wish a free vote in every area of the Bill, we ask you to consider a free vote in each area of the Bill where new ethical issues are to be debated."

As many as 12 ministers - including three of Cabinet rank - had indicated that they may have to quit if ordered to back the overhaul. Concessions made on whipping by Mr Brown were thought to have bought off most of them.

After its second reading next week, the Bill is expected to move to its report stage, when amendments can be tabled on the controversial parts and MPs from the whole House will be allowed to vote as they wish.

But whether or not the rebels manage to alter any of the proposals, all Labour MPs - but not Tories - will have to support it at the final vote.

Meanwhile, Dr Williams ratcheted up the pressure on Downing Street to allow MPs to vote with their conscience on all aspects of the Bill.

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