All medical research into the origins of life provokes deep emotion. The mystery of creation is fundamental to religious belief; the notion that science should trespass into this area can evoke as much revulsion as awe. That is why cloning has, from the start, been immensely controversial and can be conducted in Britain only within a tightly regulated legal and ethical framework. Recent developments, however, have again raised public concerns — in particular, the use of cow or rabbit eggs as recipients for human DNA in order to create embryos for therapeutic research. The spectre of hybrids or “chimeras” seems to belong to science fiction. Sensational headlines about “Frankenbunnies” have provoked widespread alarm. And last month, in response, a government White Paper announced that the creation of chimeras would be banned.

The move could be a severe setback to stem-cell research, however, and yesterday scientists from three universities involved in the project denounced what they saw as government capitulation to scaremongering. They pointed out that the embryos are purely for laboratory use and will be used in the valuable search for genetic causes of such deadly afflictions as motor neuron disease. Animal eggs are far easier to harvest than human ones, but once emptied of their DNA can be used to produce an embryo that is more than 99.5 per cent human. They are therefore not technically hybrids or chimeras and there is no question of such embryos being implanted in a womb — which is already illegal.

The scientists also pointed out, correctly, that all such research is strictly monitored by the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority. This is by no means the first time that animal tissue has been used in research: insulin suitable for injection into diabetics was first synthesised from pigs. And the public, if properly informed about the value of stem-cell research and its potential for curing chronic afflictions, has shown itself overwhelmingly supportive.

The danger, however, is that advances in genetics are so rapid that scientists will outstrip public understanding and support. Science needs, especially in ethically delicate areas, to be as transparent as possible and to ensure public acceptance at every stage. Britain has so far had an enviable record in debating the ethics and practice of stem-cell research exhaustively. Parliament has a huge measure of control and all those involved in this promising area are aware of the boundaries laid down for them. This is why Britain has been able to attract some of the best brains, especially from the United States, where emotion and confusion have inhibited stem-cell research.

This need to explain has also been tragically underlined by the case of Ashley X, the girl suffering from encephalopathy who has been sterilised to afford her better care and quality of life. The case touches on some of society’s deepest fears of biological manipulation for human convenience. Luckily, it is extremely rare, and must be judged in context without any rush to new legislation. The new government cloning proposals, however, potentially set back hope for far more people.

It is an indictment of those who have not properly explained what they are doing or why. There is no question of giving life to chimeras, but the public must be informed about contro-versial research and be at the centre of an evolving debate. Without this, all scientific research, especially into human life, may be seen as threatening our deepest beliefs and values.