Public favour embryo research: poll
Scientists have public backing over the creation of human-animal embryos, a poll revealed.
The research found that 50% of the people questioned were in favour of the controversial experiments which will allow scientists to create embryos with human DNA and animal cells.
The Populus poll for the Times revealed just 30% of people questioned were opposed to the plans.
Scientists regard the creation of human-animal embryos as vital for progress in treating and preventing conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease. But opponents, including prominent church leaders, have argued that the creation of human-animal embryos is not justified.
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC) has launched a legal fight against a decision to allow university scientists to create human-animal embryos for research.The CLC, together with Comment on Reproductive Ethics (CORE), said it was challenging a decision to grant licences to Newcastle University and King's College London.
And the leader of the Scottish Catholic Church, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, used his Easter sermon to describe the proposed legislation as a "monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life".
The poll comes just weeks before the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is debated in the Commons.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has bowed to pressure for a free vote on crucial elements of the Bill.
It updates legislation initially passed in 1990 and will expand the scope of embryo research in a number of areas.
But the poll revealed greater public scepticism with other parts of the Bill.
