Dr Karl Swann, and a team at the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff, claim to have made a major breakthrough in overcoming opposition to stem cell research by creating human embryos which cannot develop into babies.

The “ethical” embryos were made with the help of an enzyme called the “spark of life” which tricks human eggs into believing they have been fertilised even without the presence of sperm.

These embryos contain two sets of chromosomes from the mother, but none from the father and so are unable to develop into babies.

The scientists believe that the new technique should allay the fears raised by pro-life campaigners opposed to stem cell research.

Via Scotsman.