Could the Times please print a picture of one of these "embryos". Preferably very large on the front page?

starling, Lancaster,

I think if MPs want their religious convictions to override their party obligations, then they should stand as Catholic MPs instead of Labour MPs....and see how many votes they get then.

Cece, London, UK

To Jerry in Arizona...it is the ROMAN Catholic church as the Bishop is not Eastern Orthodox or Anglican, both of which are also classified as catholic faiths. Hence why your own diocese in Phoenix is called the "ROMAN Catholic Diocese of Phoenix". http://www.diocesephoenix.org/ Before ranting like a typical yank, learn what your talking about first!

As a person who has a debilitating bone condition, I'm a bit torn on this. I support stem cell research and would use treatments developed with it. BUT, I would be very nervous to use treatments developed with this .

JNB, Greenock, Scotland

What sort of twisted morality holds that it is preferable to deny research on tiny, microscopic cells to the seeking of cures for devastating maladies such as heart disease, alzheimers, cancer, MS and spinal cord paralysis?

.

Arthur Yeager, Edison, US, New Jersey

In the UK the Roman variation is called "Roman Catholic" The Anglican Church is also catholic but is NOT Roman!

I doubt whether Brown is any better informed about this than the Cardinal. A free vote would be the democratic solution but then that assumes that we live in a democratic society; something Brown has proved conclusively that we do not do.

Unfortunately, this whole issue falls into the realm of belief, not fact. However, under the human rights legislation, everyone has a right to their beliefs and if that is the way they want to vote, so be it.

In one respect, if the Cardinal can generate enough antipathy to Brown to result in his losing the next election, I will support him.

M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU (now)

If the Cardinal doesn't even understand what is happening, why should anyone even be listening to him in the first place?
Humans are animals, so mixing the embryos together is no worse than breeding mules.

M. Kip, Pallet,

Stop with the Roman Catholic!!!!
It is Catholic not Roman Catholic.
Ask the Vatican publicity dept.
Stop it!!!

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

The church, once again, wants to put us back into the "Dark Ages". They are losing the control of the populace and it appears they will try anything to regain the dogma they so believe in.
To this end, they (those who believe in dogma), smooth over the truth and thus try and reassert control.
If we are to progress as a society we need to listen to the scientists and not those who want to control us for their own glory!

Kevin, Widnes, Cheshire

I am a person that suffers with severe chronic pain every day. I know that GOD has allowed it so that I may pay for my sins and that only he will cure me. I pray that both the scientists and the prim minister stop this madness and turn their minds to GOD our saviour and creator. Amen.

Mr T Martin, Clayton-le-moors,

I do not want ANY church to control our society nor the scientific or political discourse relating to health care.

Remember John Lennon's line: "Imagine no religion." What would you get? Perhaps we'd still have the World Trade Centre where now we sadly have Ground Zero.

Keep your scurrilous superstitions to yourself.

Karen, Norwich, UK

I saw Robert Winston on TV talking about the Catholic response to this stem cell research and I considered his comments clouded by his desire to see the outcome of this science rather than consider the ethics of it. In his respose he never once spoke about the fact that emryos first had to be created and then experimented on in order to get to the so-called positive result of the posibility of finding new ways to treat and cure disease. We all want to see the end to diseases etc but we are not all prepared to do anything to find these treatmenta and cures. The Cardinal is absolutely right in his assessment and Winston et al should be brought to task for being part of this 'monstrous' invention. The doctors in Auschwitz held the same philosophy of so-called rationalism when they decided to experiment on conscience life. These embryos are human cells fused into animal eggs. How can anyone say this is right or the outcome should override the clearly immoral means of getting there.

Peter Allen, Nottingham, UK

How much "sanctity of life" was taken into account during the crusades, the inquisition and the churches anti condom stance aids hit Africa? This is the largest amount of hypocritical filth I have heard this week. The whole point is to advance knowledge to help those who are suffering. If the church had it's way we would still all be treating ourselves with leaches and bloodletting on a flat Earth with the sun orbiting us...
The church is simply standing in the way of progress as it has done for centuries because they know that the more we learn the less we need them. We make our own miracles each day saving lives. We learn more about where we came from, how we evolved. We look at the mysteries of the world around us and start to answer them. They would rather we didn't ask and just thanked god for the fact it happens to be. Oh and give them lots of money in the process lets not forget.
Their outcry only proves how right it is to learn more, just ask Copernicus.

Adam Slade, portsmouth, Hampshire

who dose o'brein think he is deciding how people should think,dose he realise that he dose not speak for everybody, I for one support Gorden Brown on this.W hen you look at the people that are supporting him it dose not surprise you every one of them are r/cs. Dose he not realise this is a protestant nation, and we dont need to go to the chapel to be told how to live our lives.There are plenty of people in this country,world, who would benifit from this research, so because the catholic church dose not agree with it every other person has to suffer.

a ardla , harthill, scotland

I remember a time when any form of embryo research was not allowed by the government. I remember at time when I was told of weapons of mass destruction. I remember a time when Labour said they would not raise taxes. Everyone a lie.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire