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Britain passes law to clone human embryos

Stem cells are derived from very early embryos

Stem cells are derived from very early embryos

The House of Lords in London has backed new government rules to allow limited cloning of human embryos.

Reuters reports that Peers in parliament's upper chamber voted by 212 to 92 to allow research using stem cells to develop treatments for killer diseases such as leukemia, Parkinson's and cancer.

Prime Minister Tony Blair argues the move would allow Britain to stay at the forefront of the biotechnology industry. But right-to-life groups and religious leaders see it as the first step to full human cloning.

Stem cells are derived from human embryos at a very early stage. They have the potential to develop into different cell types such as blood, neurones and bone. They offer the potential to treat diseases ranging from Parkinson's, diabetes and cancers to leukemia, hepatitis and stroke.

Health Minister Lord Hunt said the human embryo had a special status and was owed a measure of respect. "We also owe a measure of respect to the millions of people living with these devastating illnesses and the millions who are yet to show signs of them.''

The order changes the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act of 1990, extending the scope for research on stem cells derived from human embryos, but leaving human cloning illegal.

The leader of Britain's Catholics, Archbishop of Westminster Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, said stem cells could just as easily be obtained from adults as embryos. But scientists say stem cells from early embryos, less than one week old, offer the greatest potential for human benefit.

Independent peer Lord Alton, a ``pro-life'' campaigner, released a letter from Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and Britain's Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, urging parliament to set aside the laws.