Calls in Britain to allow genetically modifying human embryos have been criticised by pro-life campaigners.

Five major funding bodies have stated that a debate around the banned practice of testing genetic modification on embryos should take place now.  They say genetically modified embryos will eventually allow scientists to treat genetic conditions by ‘reworking’ affected DNA. The call is contained in a positon paper released by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Association of Medical Research Charities and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The groups involved in the call have now been criticised by medical watchdogs, concerned both at the potential harm to the wider population of DNA manipulation and the prospect of making real the ability to create ‘designer babies’. The United States also currently bans DNA rewiring due to these concerns.

Dr David King, director of Human Genetics Alert said: “The public must raise its voice in support of the strong international consensus against crossing this line. If we don’t, it is almost inevitable that we will end up in a market for ‘enhanced’ GM designer babies.”

Those calling for the debate have done so just months after China revealed it had used human embryos in successful tests to rewire faulty DNA which would have led to a life-threatening blood disorder.