According to an English newspaper， scientists could begin cloning human embryos1 in Britain in 2001，it emerged by English newspaper. It is understood that the Government has already agreed to the use of the so-called Frankenstein2 technology， believing the benefits outweigh ethical concerns. Researchers think it will be possible to grow brain tissue to combat degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's3， and" spare part4" organs like hearts and kidneys for transplant.
Ministers are aware that the change in the law which will be required will be equally as explosive and contentious5 as that which legalised abortion6 more than 30 years ago. Opposition politicians reacted angrily， accusing the Government of already making up its mind without the" promised consultation" .
Church leaders and anti abortion campaigners have long expressed their horror at the plans， arguing that even the earliest embryos are forms of human life. They believe that" cannibalising7" an embryo for cells is morally unacceptable. And， inevitably， it will also fuel the debate about how far scientists should interfere with nature and lead to accusations8 that they are " playing God."
The cloning of human embryos to provide spare parts and tissues is seen by most experts as a vital step forward in 21st century medicine. Scientists say treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's9 will be the first application of therapeutic10 cloning.
The ability to clone embryos was perfected11 by scientists in Scotland in the late 1990s and the ability to grow stem cells into tissues and organs is being developed12 by American researchers. Combining the two technologies， it is hoped， will mean an end to long waits for organs from donors and problems caused by rejection13 of transplanted tissues by the body.
Scientists like Ian Wilmut at the Roslin Research Institute near Edinburgh， the man who cloned Dolly the sheep， has warned that British expertise will go to America， where such work is legal， if the Government does not give the go-ahead14.
注释：
1.embryo n.胚 胎
2.Frankenstein n. 弗兰肯斯泰因（一个创造怪物而自己被其毁灭的医学研究者，为英国女作家 Mary W. Shelley于1818年所著同名小说中的主角）
3.Alzheimer' s （disease） [医]早老性痴呆病
4." spare part" "备用部件"（指备用器官或组织）
5.contentious adj.引起争议的
6.abortion n.堕胎，流产
7.cannibalise z] vt.抽取…基本成份以创造另一机能
8.accusation n.指责，指控
9.Parkinson' s （disease）[医]帕金森氏病，震颤（性）麻痹
10.therapeutic adj.治疗的
11.perfect vt.使完美，改善，提高
12.develop vt.开发
13.rejection n.[医]排斥，排异反应
14.give the go-ahead[for （or to do） sth.] 准许（获准）做某事
