New hybrid eimagembryo laws could allow scientists to carry out controversial stem cell research using hybrid human-animal embryos in the hope that it will speed up treatment for cancer and conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Motor Neurone Disease.

MPs are to vote over the next couple of days on a series of  reforms to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which are aimed at updating laws in line with scientific advances.

Opponents say it is tampering with nature and is unethical. I think the positives far outweigh the negatives, that this kind of research will be conducted under the strictest criteria, and could lead to the discovery of much needed new treatments.

Just ask a sufferer, or their family, of one of those diseases what if feels like to be “a hostage in our own body”, which is how one young man with Parkinson’s described it today. He would willingly try any medication if it would free him.

We have been “tampering with nature” for many years. It’s not natural to have a test tube baby, but scientific research broke those boundaries.

We do not know if this research will provide a miracle cure, but shouldn’t we at least try and find out? It could be us one day in need of it.