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MP Kevin Barron says Bill is 'not about creating monsters'
A SENIOR South Yorkshire MP says the Government's controversial plans to liberalise embryo research could herald "major breakthroughs" in medical research.
Kevin Barron, MP for Rother Valley, said the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will help scientists find cures to serious diseases.
He rubbished the claims of opponents of the legislation who say the new laws are "about creating monsters".
The Bill permits the creation of embryos containing human and animal material for studying diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The legislation would allow scientists to grow the embryos for up to 14 days.
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Parents will also be allowed to select an embryo which is a genetic match for a seriously ill child to create a "saviour sibling" able to donate tissue to their older brother or sister. Chesterfield boy Charlie Whitaker was cured of rare diamond blackfan anaemia thanks to a transplant of stem cells from his perfect match baby brother Jamie.
The proposals have been met with fierce opposition from some MPs. But Mr Barron, chair of the influential Commons health select committee, heaped praise on the legislation.
He said: "It is not about creating monsters. It is purely laboratory research and aimed at increasing knowledge about serious diseases and treatments for them."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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