British scientists have created a cloned human embryo for the first time, placing the country in the vanguard of a technology with the potential to cure conditions such as Parkinson's, diabetes and paralysis, The Times reported on Friday.

The Newcastle University team produced three cloned embryos, one of which survived to the blastocyst stage of about 100 cells, at which stem cells can be collected. All these cells are clones of patients with type 1 diabetes, spinal injuries or an immune system disease.

Genetic testing has confirmed that the cells would be immunologically compatible were they to be transplanted, but it is too early to attempt this safely, the newspaper said.

"We are bringing science a step forward towards the day when some of humankind's most devastating diseases and injuries can be treated through the use of therapeutic stem cell," the paper quoted professor Hwang, member of the team, as saying.

The development came as the South Korean researchers who pioneered human cloning last year announced breakthroughs that bring its medical promise closer to reality.

These advances pave the way for using cloned embryonic stem cells -- master cells that can form any tissue in the body -- to create spare part tissue for treating disease.

The research has reignited controversy over the ethics of humancloning even for therapeutic purposes.

Critics said that the new research would assist efforts to produce a cloned baby as the methods involved are virtually identical. They also objected to the destruction of embryonic life and said that any form of cloning insults human dignity.

Other critics, however, said it would be immoral not to proceed. "To fail to develop therapies that would save 100,000 people is morally equivalent to killing 100,000 people," the paper cited Professor Julian Savulescu, of Oxford University, as saying.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2005)