Douglas Fraser: "The Catholic church is pretty good at attracting headlines. Why?"

Britain's top scientists last night agreed to meet Catholic church leaders and MPs to try to dispel fears based on what they believe is misinformation about the UK Government's contentious Embryology Bill.

The move was instigated by Jim Devine, Labour MP for Livingston, who is concerned about the tone of the debate and has offered to act as a mediator.

It came as supporters of the embryo research legislation fought back as the proposals were condemned from Easter pulpits.

A coalition of 200-plus charities and support groups representing scientists, doctors and patients suffering from a wide range of conditions has written to every MP urging them to back the bill.

It will update legislation and expand the scope of embryo research in a number of areas. Most controversially, it will allow the creation of so-called hybrid embryos using animal eggs and human nuclei, which can be grown into stem cells. Supporters believe the bill will lead to advances in the treatment of several fatal diseases.

During his Easter sermon, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scotland's most senior Catholic, condemned the legislation.

Labour peer Lord Winston, one of Britain's leading fertility experts, hit back, branding the Cardinal's statements as "misleading", adding: "I'm afraid when the Church, for good motives, tells untruths, it brings discredit upon itself."

Mr Devine, one of 13 Catholic Labour MPs in Scotland, told The Herald he was "happy to be a facilitator between the two sides".

Last night, Stephen Minger, head of Stem Cell Research at King's College, London, said: "We are concerned society as a whole is allowed to have this important debate on the basis of good, accurate information."

The Herald has been told two whips, Scots Catholic MPs Tommy McAvoy and Frank Roy, will resign if a free vote is not given on certain controversial aspects of the Bill. Both declined to comment last night.

Mr Devine said: "This is about looking at major illnesses that affect hundreds of thousands of people and their families and giving them hope."

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Nationalists will all have free votes. First Minister Alex Salmond has indicated he will vote in favour of the Bill provided there are certain safeguards.