AFTER claims made in recent months you would be forgiven for believing scientists across the land have been busy trying to create a new Frankenstein's monster in their labs.
In reality, just a handful of researchers have been considering the use of hybrid embryos – mixing animal eggs with human DNA – to create stem cells and forward understanding of serious disease.
The debate came to a head this week, with MPs voting
to allow scientists to continue using hybrid embryos in their work.
Religious leaders, including those from the Scottish Catholic Church, have condemned hybrid embryos as threatening the sanctity of human life.
They also question whether this area of science will ever lead to effective treatments, as evidence so far has been lacking.
The Scottish Catholic Church for one is set to continue its opposition and strong campaigning against hybrid embryo research.
Insiders describe what MPs have done by supporting hybrid research as "bizarre".
They believe that MPs have backed a losing horse, and are going down a blind ally – actually reducing the likelihood of finding cures and therapies because hybrid research is never going to lead anywhere.
But it is not yet clear in everyone's mind whether hybrid research is really heading for a dead end.
What is set to happen next is that a small number of scientists from around the UK will apply to carry out research to try to create the hybrid embryos.
Experts told The Scotsman that it is highly unlikely large numbers will suddenly turn to this area of research, with other methods of creating early stage stem cells also being explored.
One area which they hope to develop further is using a technique to make stem cells which behave like embryonic stem cells, but from adult cells.
This is also in its early stages, with work being carried out around the world.
But behind the scenes, the thinking is that to shut one door before others have been fully opened would be a mistake.
Scientists believe they must have as many opportunities as possible if they are to find the much needed cures and therapies patients desire.
Researchers currently working in the field accept that there are no guarantees in the groundbreaking area of stem-cell science. It is unlikely either side of the debate will back down. But whatever happens next, don't expect to see human-animal monsters walking the streets any time soon.
The full article contains 410 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
