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Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]

The hon. Gentleman has spoken about his second category—those who are quite happy with what one might call traditional research, but who are anxious about hybrid research. I think that I fall into that category. The reason is not to do with a philosophical debate on the difference between a hybrid and a wholly human cell; rather, it is to do with a general feeling in society—or perhaps a failure on my part—that we do not have an understanding of the risks involved should something go wrong, of whether a treatment be developed or of whether a hybrid cell in some form should be put into a human. There is a general fear in the outside world, but no clear argument from the scientific community about how small those risks are.