First human embryo cloned in UK

Scientists hope the work would eventually lead to successful treatment for degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

A human embryo has been cloned for the first time in Britain, scientists have announced.

The stem cell research was carried out by Newcastle University and scientists hope the work would eventually lead to successful treatment for degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, or for paralysed victims of spinal injuries.

The Newcastle University team took eggs from 11 women, removed the genetic material and replaced it with DNA from embryonic stem cells. The UK research is published in Reproductive and BioMedicine Online.

According to the scientists, the aim of research was to make cloned embryos from which stem cells could be used to treat diseases.

Therapeutic cloning, believed to have huge potential to treat disease and disability, is allowed in Britain.

However, reproductive cloning - the cloning of human embryos with the intention of creating a baby - was made illegal in 2001.

The UN recently voted in favour of a ban on all human cloning, but this was non-binding, which means the UK can continue to do therapeutic cloning.