She told MPs that embryos should be used for stem cell research to help scientists find new treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's and insulin-dependent diabetes. MPs have been given a free vote on the issue. Ms Cooper promised that strict rules would still apply to the research and that it would not lead to reproductive cloning. But I would also point out that I believe the moral arguments cut both ways and there are also strong ethical arguments in favour of these regulations given their potential to relieve the suffering of many thousands of families in this country. It is absolutely untrue that these regulations will give the go-ahead for reproductive cloning.
Reproductive cloning is illegal.
It will stay illegal. Nursing homes could be left empty if a cure to Alzheimer's was found, she added. Ms Cooper said research is only permitted up to 14 days or before the first signs of neural development and that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the regulatory body, would have to be be satisfied it was necessary. Tory health spokesman Philip Hammond said many people felt science had failed them already after the BSE and GM food furore. We are being asked to move rapidly into uncharted waters before many of us feel sufficiently sure of the consequences to make decisions which have such potentially far-reaching consequences.