Oxfordshire's MPs are facing pressure to state their positions on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Roman Catholic churches in Oxford have been asking their congregations to write to their MPs urging them to vote against parts of the proposed Act.

On Friday, nearly 300 people turned out to hear Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris, who supports the Bill, debate with campaigners who want to see the legislation defeated.

He offered to talk about his position on the Bill after being approached by petitioners opposing it.

Dr Harris said: "The majority of people in my constituency believe it is ethical, and indeed the right thing to do, to allow doctors and scientists to carry out research on early embryos - including animal/human embryos subject to tight rules and regulations. And I happen to agree with the majority."

Dr Harris said he had received between 50 and 100 letters about the issue - evenly split between those supporting and opposing the Bill.

He has also received a petition against the Bill with 300 signatures - but he said many were not from his constituency.

Dr Harris said he had been contacted by doctors, scientists, patients, and their families who supported the Bill.

He added: "I accept there are people in my constituency, who do not agree, but I am more than willing to explain and discuss it with them."

The Rev Lynda Rose, chairman of Oxford Life, said: "There is still a lot of unease and strong feeling against the Bill."

The city's Roman Catholic community is holding a meeting next Thursday at St Gregory The Great School, Cricket Road, Cowley, starting at 7pm.

Father John Saward, who is the parish priest at SS Gregory and Augustine Church, in Woodstock Road, said: "The priests have been proactive about this and I have been encouraging people to write to their MP and Gordon Brown.

"People talk about it after Mass and there is an enormous amount of concern.

"It could not be a more fundamental life or death issue, and we believe the end does not justify the means."

Wantage Conservative MP Ed Vaizey remained open-minded about the Bill, and said about 20 constituents had contacted him on the issue.

Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East, said he was still "reflecting" on the issue of human/animal hybrid cells.

Banbury MP Tony Baldry, Witney MP David Cameron, and Henley MP Boris Johnson were unavailable for comment.

  • Last month, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, urged the Prime Minister to rethink "monstrous" plans to allow hybrid human-animal embryos.

Gordon Brown has said the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will improve research into many illnesses, but Labour MPs are being allowed a free vote on the most controversial sections.

The MPs will be able to follow their consciences in three areas, including allowing scientists to create embryos with human DNA and animal cells.

But the Prime Minister expects all Labour MPs to back the whole Bill when it comes to the final Commons vote.

Mr Brown offered the deal after warnings that some Catholic Labour MPs and cabinet ministers would rebel.

Conservative leader David Cameron is allowing his MPs to vote with their conscience.

Supporters of the Bill believe hybrid embryos could lead to cures for conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer's Disease.

A proposed amendment to prohibit the creation of inter-species embryos was defeated by the House of Lords in January.