Ministers performed a U-turn yesterday over the future of fertility treatment and research using hybrid human-animal embryos.

After a revolt by doctors, scientists and patients, first reported in The Times, the Department of Health announced that it was scrapping its controversial money-saving plan to merge the watchdogs for fertility treatment and human tissue.

The revised Human Tissue and Embryos Bill, which is expected to form part of Gordon Brown’s first Queen’s Speech, will also allow scientists to conduct tests on all three main kinds of hybrid embryos.

Ministers initially proposed to ban all such research, used to investigate conditions such as Alzheimer’s and motor neuron disease, but backed down partially in May. As part of its response to criticisms by a committee of MPs, the Government said that research on true hybrids will now also be allowed.

The move, along with the decision to abandon the merger of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), is a climb-down for ministers, who proposed the merger in 2004 after a Department of Health review recommended cutting 38 quangos to 20 to save £500 million.

Opponents had argued that a single regulatory authority for tissues and embryos would put patient safety at risk and create an additional tier of bureaucracy and expense.

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