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Britain risks being considered a "rogue state" if it pushes ahead with developing "genetically modified people", MPs were told.
Conservative former minister Sir Edward Leigh also questioned how many more problems would emerge in the future if society is divided between the "modified and unmodified", as he warned against adopting mitochondrial replacement therapy.
The procedure, which aims to prevent the birth of children with incurable diseases, could lead to humans being created for the "sole purpose of harvesting their useful parts", the Gainsborough MP added.
Speaking during a backbench Commons debate, Sir Edward told MPs: "There's been a great deal of controversy over the past few decades regarding genetically modified plants and crops.
"Through the march of applied sciences, advances in agriculture we have managed to feed billions of people.
"But I'm sure all members of the House will agree that we're dealing with entirely separate issues when we talk of genetically modified food and what we're dealing with now - genetically modified people.
"We've only in the past 100 years come to terms with the debilitating, restrictive and oppressive...