Information on Loughborough

Embryo Research

Posted on 14/05/08
P. Klein

strand of DNA

Andy Reed, Loughborough MP, has voted for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which will confer the same rights and restrictions on the use of admixed embryos as human embryos.

The human fertilisation and embryology bill had its second reading in the House of Commons on the 12th May 2008. Andy Reed was one of the 340 MPs who voted for the Bill, whilst a mere 77 voted against. Gordon Brown, along with the other main party leaders, has vowed that his MPs will be given a free vote on parts of the legislation.

This legislation will give optimism to many sufferers from diseases such as Parkinsons as it is one of the most hopeful developments in this area of research. But this fact has been hyped to a sensational magnitude. Scandal-mongering and uninformed interpretations of what is complex scientific work have left the common person with giant misconceptions about what is really going on. Often ignored is the fact that this research could produce items that could improve the lives of millions.

What this legislation going through the parliamentary process however is nothing radically new ethically. The use of human embryos was legislated back in 1990 and mixing human and animal cells has been a tool in biomedical exploration for many years. This new legislation ensures that human admixed embryos are given the same protection and respect as human embryos.

One of the driving forces is stem cell research. Investigation into stem cells allows scientists to understand how our own body cells behave. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues - they are all the same but how and why they form, deteriorate and perform different functions remains largely a mystery. Generating stem cells in this way, using animal eggs as "holders" for the developing cells will allow scientists to work much faster. The understanding that this could bring would be invaluable to all human beings, not just ones with degenerative conditions such as Parkinsons. Unless you understand how the body functions, you cannot cure it. Medical researchers think that stem cell therapy has the potential to radically change the management of human disease. A number of adult stem cell therapies already exist, particularly bone marrow transplants that are used to treat leukemia. In the future, medical researchers anticipate being able to use technologies derived from stem cell research to treat a wider variety of diseases together with cancer, Parkinsons disease, spinal cord injuries, and muscle damage, along with a number of other impairments and conditions.

Andy Reed said before the vote: "There have been so many differing views and interpretations it will be impossible to please everybody. Even in the Christian community there are widely differing views and this complexity needs to be recognised. What has disappointed me has the been the extremely fundamentalist positions on both sides which seem incapable of recognising this is a complex issue that needs careful thought and a balance. I know from experience this is often the case. However, the vast majority of people fall into the category that recognises there are shades of grey in such complex issues and I thank all of them for expressing such views. I wont dwell on some of the more extreme views that have been expressed by a minority"

Latest News

Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture

Latest News

University of Leicester PhD organise 'Materiality and Intangibility: Contested Zones', an event for researchers and artists working with museums... 20 Nov 2009 Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture

An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke

Latest News

10th Man to walk on the moon to lecture at the University of Leicester in a filled-to-capacity public event... 20 Nov 2009 An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke

The Carbon Benefits Project

Latest News

Dr Eleanor Milne to speak about this timely work on Thursday 19 November at the University of Leicester ... 20 Nov 2009 The Carbon Benefits Project

Keeping up with the Joneses in the 18th century

Latest News

Study day for the University of Leicester's Centre for the Study of the Country House on 24 November... 20 Nov 2009 Keeping up with the Joneses in the 18th century

Labour rights: constitutional promises vs global realities

Latest News

Human Rights lecture taking place at the University of Leicester on 24 November. Free and open to the public... 20 Nov 2009 Labour rights: constitutional promises vs global realities

Related News

Study investigates the function of stem cells in the intestine

News

The first Doctoral Inaugural lecture of the new academic year takes place on Wednesday 14 October at University of Leicester... 13 Oct 2009 Study investigates the function of stem cells in the intestine

New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester

New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester

Public event on Tuesday April 28 will examine how understanding cancer cell division will help fight the disease... 21 Apr 2009 New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester

MRC scientists advance understanding of cell death

News

Advance in research carried out at University of Leicester could lead to new treatments for conditions affected by cell death... 14 Aug 2009 MRC scientists advance understanding of cell death

Loughborough MP votes against equality

IVF

error - no content. .... 22 May 2008 Loughborough MP votes against equality

£6m to spearhead training for a healthcare revolution

Loughborough University,Loughborough

6m to spearhead training for a healthcare revolution A surge in demand for revolutionary new medical treatments is to be met by training up a new breed of scientist at a 6 million specialist centre at Loughborough University. To realise the full potential of the latest healthcare advances such as regenerating cartilage and bone and growing heart muscle cells graduates are to be trained in the latest scientific techniques as well as commercial expertise.... 28 Dec 2008 £6m to spearhead training for a healthcare revolution

Relevant News

Call to promote markets

andy reed

Loughborough MP Andy Reed has called on Government Ministers to promote markets for emerging new energy technology. Andy Reed said "we need to see the markets flourish for these new products and I want the government to help create the right financial climate for these new technologies to compete."... 12 Oct 2007 Call to promote markets

Human Rights

person tied up on a chair

Loughborough MP Andy Reed has today welcomed the Human Rights Watch report into torture and ill treatment in Uzbekistan. Reed, appalled by the actions described in the report, called on the government to condemn Uzbekistan and called on Uzbekistan to change it practises and reject torture and ill treatment of all people. ... 22 Nov 2007 Human Rights

Loughborough MP Calls For Clamp Down On Human Traffickers Supporting The Sex Trade

slave

Loughborough MP Andy Reed is pressing the Government to take further action over people being trafficked into the UK in order to be abused in the sex industry, a form of slavery.... 20 Mar 2008 Loughborough MP Calls For Clamp Down On Human Traffickers Supporting The Sex Trade

Loughborough MP votes against equality

IVF

error - no content. .... 22 May 2008 Loughborough MP votes against equality

Loughborough MP votes for 42 day detention

prison

MP for Loughborough, Andy Reed, voted with the Government last night on the highly controversial proposals to increase the period on which someone can be held without charge on the suspicion of terrorism to 42 days.... 12 Jun 2008 Loughborough MP votes for 42 day detention

Most Read News (today)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

chess pieces and board

Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

police officer

14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

The Carbon Benefits Project

Latest News

Dr Eleanor Milne to speak about this timely work on Thursday 19 November at the University of Leicester ... 20 Nov 2009 The Carbon Benefits Project

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Most Read News (this month)

Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services29 October 2009Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology surveyLeicestershire County Council today held a press conference at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to announce the conclusion of a groundbreaking three year archaeological survey to locate the battle of Bosworth, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Battlefields Trust archaeologist, Glenn Foard, revealed an exciting collection of finds from the Battle of Bosworth of international archaeological significance.... 30 Oct 2009 Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey

Loughborough Fair

News

The popular, annual Charnwood Borough Council-organised event will open at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11th and run until Saturday, November 14th 2009.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough Fair

Police searching for missing man have found a body

police,constabulary,leicestershire police

Police searching for missing man have found a bodyPolice searching for a 77 year old man from Loughborough, who has been missing since yesterday evening, have found the body of a man. Ernest Sanham from Park Road in Loughborough, was admitted to the Leicester General Hospital on Thursday 22nd October 2009 suffering from confusion.... 26 Oct 2009 Police searching for missing man have found a body

Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

News

Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

News

Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.... 26 Oct 2009 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

Most Read News (alltime)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

chess pieces and board

Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

police officer

14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire

social care

Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... 22 Jul 2008 Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire