Hybrid Embryos and Abortion

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th May 2008

"The issue of allowing scientists to create cross species embryos raises important ethical issues" says Graham Oakes, Lib Dem PPC for Exeter.

The debate in the House of Commons today also includes an amendment on the time limit on which women can have a termination moved by a Pro-Life Tory M.P.

"Scientists have always worked at the edge of society's tolerance on ethical issues - Benjamin Jesty tested his vaccine against small pox on his own family in 1754 and then twenty years later Edward Jenner repeated the procedure on James Phipps, an 8 year old boy, both men breaking the ethical standards of their day, but giving us a vaccine against a terrible disease. I believe that by allowing scientists to carry out strictly regulated experiments in this way we might find the cure to some modern diseases and conditions."

"Whilst reluctantly falling into the Pro-Choice camp on termination - having witnessed a termination one can't positively embrace the procedure, but it is far better than the alternative - back street abortions. We need to update the limit and 20 weeks is more appropriate today."