MPs at loggerheads on 'designer babies'

A controversial report calling for couples to be allowed to create "designer babies" has descended into chaos after prolife MPs objected to its findings.

The science and technology committee was due to publish its long-awaited study into fertility law at midnight tonight.

The 10 members are split down the middle over its main proposals to allow some parents to choose the sex and genetic make-up of their babies.

The 18-month inquiry has also backed the creation of so-called "saviour siblings", born from embryos selected by their parents to be the perfect genetic match for a sick child so that the new baby can enable lifesaving treatment.

Anti-abortion campaigners believe such changes will mean the unnecessary destruction of embryos that do not fit the parents' requirements.

Committee chairman Ian Gibson used his casting vote to approve the report, but his opponents were set to reveal their objections today.

Four Labour members - Geraldine Smith, Paul Farelly, Kate Hoey and Tony McWalter - have joined Tory Bob Spink to claim the proposals fly in the face of public concerns over embryo research and abortion.

The final report may be delayed while the argument is resolved. One committee member told the Evening Standard: "This report as it stands is ridiculous, outlandish - and goes against the evidence we received during our inquiry. Some 84 per cent of the evidence we heard backs a more cautious, conservative approach than the liberalisation being proposed.

"We are talking about the creation of human life and we should be extremely careful with embryos and hybrids. I believe we have tapped into the public mood over this, with more people worried about the science and the rise in abortions. And our objections are cross-party."

One MP added: "If this report goes ahead, it will bring the whole committee into disrepute and it could lead to it being disbanded after the election. It's that serious."

MPs who back the radical approach claim parents want the law to reflect advances in science. Genetic screening could actually reduce the number of abortions, they say.

The rival camps agree on a curb on unregulated fertility services via the internet such as the controversial website Man Not Included, aimed at single women and lesbian couples.

Leaks of the report have shown that it wants couples to be permitted to undergo the controversial fertility procedures - which allow the selection of embryos free of disease and for their tissue type - so long as they remain within the law.

The report also concludes that there is no compelling evidence that using fertility treatment to choose the sex of a child for social reasons harms individuals or society.