Animal-human cell mixing gets go-ahead
Thursday September 06 2007
British scientists were celebrating last night after the fertility regulator agreed in principle to the creation of human-animal embryos.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) showed its support for the controversial plans, which scientists say will pave the way for therapies for diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The move means applications from scientists at King's College, London and Newcastle University can now be appraised individually by a licence committee, with decisions expected in November.
A consultation paper published by the HFEA earlier this week showed that the public was mostly "at ease" with the proposals once the full research implications had been explained.
Researchers want to create hybrid embryos known as cytoplasmic embryos by merging human cells with animal eggs.
In May, the Government published the Human Tissue and Embryos Bill, which proposed a regulation-making power that could lead to these embryos being allowed.
The HFEA has carried out its own review under existing laws ahead of Parliament passing new legislation.
Cytoplasmic embryos are more than 99pc human, with an animal component representing around 0.1pc.
The embryos are made using eggs from rabbits or cows and genetic material from human donors.
Scientists say they could provide them with a plentiful supply of stem cells for studies into new treatments.
Research
The research involves transferring nuclei containing DNA from human cells, such as skin cells, to animal eggs that have had almost all their genetic information removed.
Stem cells, which have the potential to become different kinds of tissue, are then grown in the laboratory and the embryos are destroyed within 14 days.
At present, scientists have to rely on human eggs left over from fertility treatment, but they are in short supply and not always good quality.
Professor Martin Bobrow of the Academy of Medical Sciences said the decision opened the door for the UK to become a world leader in stem cell research.
He said: "The HFEA's consultation demonstrated that scientists, patients and the public truly believe this research could provide important new avenues to understand and treat a range of serious diseases.
But the Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, said: "Instead of promoting ethically problematic research into hybrid embryos, why do we not simply encourage more research into the proven and uncontroversial area of adult stem cells?"
"The Catholic Church is not against all stem cell research, and strongly supports such research using adult and cord blood stem cells."
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "Today's decision will not have an immediate impact, but it could speed up progress towards treatments in the future."
"This type of research has real potential for increasing our knowledge on the effect of Alzheimer's on the brain and could be revolutionary in developing effective treatments for this devastating disease.''
