LONDON (Reuters) - MPs vote on Monday on reform of fertility research laws.

Here is a selection of views on the issue:

- PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN

“Embryonic stem cell research has always been controversial and I respect the views of all those with religious convictions which they see as precluding this type of research.

“But I also see the profound opportunity we have to save and transform millions of lives through this strand of medicine.

“Let me be clear: if we want to sustain stem cell research and bring new cures and treatments to millions of people, I believe admixed embryos are necessary.”

- ROWAN WILLIAMS, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

“Conscientious objections about the Bill are not a matter of blind superstition.

“They arise from serious concerns about where the direction of some sorts of research might lead society. ‘Slippery slope’ arguments don’t settle the question, but they can’t be ignored.”

- JOINT STATEMENT FROM STEVE FORD, HEAD OF THE PARKINSON’S DISEASE SOCIETY; PETER WEISSBERG, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION, AND SIX OTHER CHARITIES

“Significant advances are already being made in research involving embryonic stem cells, even though the relevant technologies are comparatively new.

“The provisions in the Bill involving human admixed embryos could fast-track this area of research.

“By offering new ways of generating embryonic stem cells, this approach could overcome the shortage of human eggs available for research.” - DAVID KING, DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGN GROUP HUMAN GENETICS ALERT

“It is the first time that any country has officially sanctioned genetic engineering of human embryos.

“The worldwide concern about human genetic modification is because it is by far the most powerful technology for manipulating the characteristics of human beings.

“It raises huge concerns about eugenics and the treatment of human embryos and children as commodities.”

- MARK WALPORT, WELLCOME TRUST DIRECTOR

“It is crucial that we don’t close down avenues of medical research that could lead to improvements in the lives of many thousands of people.

“Embryonic stem cells offer potential for treating serious diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and muscular dystrophy and it is important that we are able to study them using a variety of approaches, including mixing human and animal material.

- CARDINAL CORMAC MURPHY-O’CONNOR, ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ENGLAND AND WALES

“We support scientific research that seeks to cure disease and suffering.

“The HFE Bill has focused on embryonic stem cell research.

“In fact, much greater progress has already been made towards clinical therapies using adult stem cells.

“Not nearly enough time has been given to discussing these issues and these questions require answers before and not after legislation.”

- DR LYLE ARMSTRONG, NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY

“By studying admixed embryos we are aiming to gain better understanding of disease processes without having to use precious human eggs.”

- JIM DOBBIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY PRO-LIFE GROUP

“The government have described the inter-species embryos as 99.9 percent human — omitting to highlight the breadth of the research that is allowable, with true hybrids, of up to 50-50 human/animal mix and extending the period of experimentation from one day to 14 days.”