THE Government's controversial Embryology Bill has been criticised by an Oxford church minister.

The Rev Lynda Rose, chairman of the Oxford branch of Life, the largest anti-abortion charity in the UK, said she felt the bill was "opportunistic".

Yesterday, cross-party attempts to ban hybrid embryos - mixing human and animal cells - and saviour' embryos - which can be used to help a sick brother or sister - were defeated.

The votes followed two debates on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which aims to update laws in line with scientific advances.

Mrs Rose said: "I am very disappointed. This research is banned throughout the rest of Europe because it is viewed as morally repugnant and I feel this is political opportunism over principle.

"There are other ways of proceeding that are ethically sound, which the Bill seems to ignore."

Her comments followed a visit to Westminster last week with hundreds of other pro-life campaigners from Oxford to protest against the Bill.

Mrs Rose said: "Many people are concerned about the ramifications of this Bill, which I feel is ill-conceived."

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill includes provision for research on different types of embryos.

But the priest said she felt the possibility of hybrid embryos was "immoral and totally unnecessary".

She added that adult stem cell research offered a better opportunity for scientific research.

Mrs Rose said: "Another thing to consider is that one of the prime movers and shakers behind the Bill is MP Evan Harris. He seems to have pushed ahead with his support without consulting people in his constituency, which is why it seemed so important to go up to London from Oxford."

Dr Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, criticised those who argued hybrid embryos were too human.

He said: "If it's ethically acceptable to use up and destroy fully human embryos with all the potential they have, how is it right to provide for hybrid embryos, with less potential of viability, greater protection?"

Catholic Cabinet ministers Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy voted for a ban on hybrid human-animal embryos, but Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative Party leader David Cameron back the idea.

Witney MP Mr Cameron said: "I have a son with epilepsy and cerebral palsy and when I look at how he suffers and I think if you could do anything to stop him suffering and stop other children suffering, shouldn't we try?"

Mrs Rose is in favour of an amendment to the Bill, to cut the upper limit for abortion from 24 weeks to between 22 and 12 weeks, and added: "England has the dubious distinction of being the abortion capital of the world."