A scientific technique that could allow same-sex couples to create their own biological child in a laboratory should be allowed under law, a group of influential scientists said on Monday.

The experts, all international leaders in embryology research, called on ministers not to restrict such "important" research.

The laboratory creation of eggs and sperm from other cells could offer hope to thousands of people unable to have children of their own.

Although the creation of both sperm and eggs in a laboratory is still at an early stage, the Hinxton group, made up of 40 world-renowned experts, estimates that the procedure could be used to create human foetuses within 15 years.

(Article continues below)

Creating sperm from female instead of male cells could take longer but was still "possible", they said.

John Harris, a member of the group and a professor of bioethics at the University of Manchester, said that ministers should not impede the research.

"The real ethical issue at the moment is to ensure that the important scientific research can continue," he said.

The call was made after a conference on ethics and stem cell research and follows the tabling of a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Government's controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which could speed up the use of "artificial" eggs and sperm in fertility clinics.

Full article here.