AS someone with motor neurone disease (MND) I find it difficult to understand anybody not wanting animal-human embryos to be created for scientific research that may be a way towards a cure for conditions such as MND and Parkinson's disease.

I've nothing against MPs having a free vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. But if experts/scientists believe this could be a breakthrough in research for these terrible diseases and the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics says the proposed legislation attacks the sanctity and dignity of human life, then I have to ask: what about the loss of dignity and life for those people with MND and Parkinson's?

It seems to me this is a great opportunity to, hopefully, one day find a cure for MND and Parkinson's. Three people a day die of MND and more than 5,000 people are affected in the UK today.

As one of those people I welcome the use of embryos to be created for scientific research in the hope that a cure can be found - and in the hope that in future nobody will need to lose their dignity or life suffering with these terrible diseases.

Mike Findley, Marske-by-the-Sea, Redcar.

RECENT comments from certain sections of the clergy about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill beggar belief.

References to Frankenstein are bizarre to say the least. No wonder hard-working scientists have responded to these extraordinary comments.

Politicians from all parties should challenge such exaggerated, alarmist talk from certain sections of the clergy.

If scientists can find cures for devastating and debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's and motor neurone disease by using this type of pioneering science then, with proper legislation, they should be allowed to try and alleviate such human suffering.

Councillor George Robert Dunning, Leader, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.