FACTBOX-Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

LONDON (Reuters) - The Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill receives its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday.

Here are some key facts about the bill:

-- The bill updates laws on assisted reproduction treatment and embryo research to take account of scientific developments and social attitudes which have occurred since the last fertilisation legislation was passed in 1990.

-- It allows the creation of four types of human-animal hybrid embryos for the purposes of research, including Cytoplasmic hybrids, created by transferring the nucleus of a human cell into an empty animal cell.

This is the main type of hybrid embryo that scientists want to use -- because of a shortage of donated human eggs -- to create embryonic stem cells to find cures for conditions like Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

-- None of the hybrid embryos will be allowed to develop beyond 14 days or be implanted into an animal or human

-- Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland says hybrid embryo research is "monstrous" and should be banned. But scientists say the cardinal does not understand the facts and is spreading misinformation.

Conservative MP Edward Leigh plans to submit an amendment banning hybrid embryo creation.

-- The bill does not include any proposal to change abortion laws. But pro-life Labour MP Claire Curtis-Thomas and Conservative MP Mark Pritchard plan to submit amendments calling for a reduction in the 24-week limit for abortion to 18 or 16 weeks.