Scientists in England have been urged not to lobby lawmakers in support of the Embryology and Human Fertilization Bill for fear of provoking a backlash.

Stem-cell scientists had been invited by supporters of the bill to show their support for the legislation, which would allow scientists to use hybrid embryos, made up of animal and human tissue -- to study genetic defects, The Telegraph reported Saturday.

However, the Medical Research Council has warned that lobbying Parliament on the measure would be counter-productive.

Tony Peatfield, head of policy at the MRC, has e-mailed the heads of four of its institutes urging them to tell staff that the MRC cannot support researchers involved in the lobby. He said the presence of scientists outside Parliament could have a negative impact and might actually be counter-productive to the research that (the MRC) would like to see progress.

One of the lobby day's organizers, Dr. Evan Harris, described the MRC's response as rather absurd and paranoid.

It is a valid part of public engagement -- which the MRC is supposed to be encouraging -- for scientists to come to Parliament and explain their research, he said.

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