Behind the headlines: Philippa Montgomerie

WITH so much progress in stem-cell research, it has been apparent for some time that the 1990 act is not keeping pace with clinical developments. It could also be said social attitudes are much changed over the last 20 years. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill going through parliament intends to reform the laws of assisted reproduction and embryo research, re-addressing the balance.

The ability to use hybrid embryos combining human and animal material could have a huge impact on Scotland's influential life sciences industry. Human-animal hybrids are considered one of the most valuable embryo-hybrids for scientific research; fea...