*'Human-animal' embryo green light*

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"
BBC NEWS
*'Human-animal' embryo green light*
* Regulators have agreed in principle to allow human-animal embryos to 
be created and used for research. *

But scientists wanting to use hybrids will still need to make individual 
applications, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said.

An HFEA consultation showed the public were "at ease" with the idea when 
told it could pave the way for therapies for conditions such as 
Alzheimer's disease.

Opponents have said many people would be "horrified" by such a move.

Scientists want to create hybrid embryos by merging human cells with 
animal eggs in a bid to extract stem cells. The embryos would then be 
destroyed within 14 days.

The cells form the basic building blocks of the body and have the 
potential to become any tissue, making them essential for research.

At the moment, scientists have to rely on human eggs left over from 
fertility treatment, but they are in short supply and are not always 
good quality.

Two teams from Kings College London and Newcastle University have 
already applied to the HFEA to use hybrid embryos.

It is now expected individual hearings for these two applications will 
be held in November with other scientists expected to follow suit.

* Reversed decision *

Dr Stephen Minger, of King's College London, said he "applauded" the 
HFEA for its decision as it was the only ethically justifiable option if 
scientists were to push forward with their research.

Lyle Armstrong, of Newcastle University, added: "This is excellent news. 
It is a positive outcome not just for our work but for the progress of 
British science in general and we hope that this will lead to new 
technologies to benefit everyone."

And he also said: "It does seem a little abhorrent at first analysis, 
but you have to understand we are using very, very little information 
from the cow in order to do this reprogramming idea.

"It's not our intention to create any bizarre cow-human hybrid, we want 
to use those cells to understand how to make human stem cells better."

Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris, a member of the Commons' science and 
technology committee, which has already given its backing to such 
research, said: "Our top-class researchers can now proceed with their 
applications to conduct this world-leading research."

And Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the British Medical Assocition's ethics 
committee, said it could lead to "major breakthroughs in treatments for 
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other serious diseases".

The HFEA decision comes amid government moves to lay down regulations 
covering such research - the law governing embryo research is out of 
date and does not cover the issue.

The government originally proposed banning the technique in a white 
paper last year.

But it reversed its decision this year in a bill which indicated 
ministers were minded to allow hybrid embryos which were 99.9% human and 
0.1% animal, following a backlash by scientists and patient groups.

But the HFEA has carried out its own review ahead of parliament passing 
the legislation so as not to hold back research.

The regulator can grant licences to scientists to pursue such research, 
but will have to change its criteria if future rules contradicted its 
own practices.

* Dignity *

Anthony Ozimic, secretary of pro-life group the Society for the 
Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said he "deplored" the HFEA's decision.

"This is not just a case of the 'yuk' factor - there are grave ethical 
and moral objections to this research and the way it is being promoted."

And Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive 
Ethics, said the HFEA was wrong to be pushing ahead with a decision 
which should be left to parliament.

"Using hybrid embryos has never been acceptable - it offends the dignity 
of humans and animals."

A spokeswoman for the HFEA said the decision had been a challenging one 
to reach.

"This is not a total green light for hybrid research, but recognition 
that this area of research can, with caution and careful scrutiny, be 
permitted."

But she added that public opinion was "very finely divided" with people 
only supporting it if it was tightly regulated and likely to lead to 
medical advancements.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6978384.stm

Published: 2007/09/05 14:34:03 GMT

© BBC MMVII

"


"
WHAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE?
* Australia * - Embryos allowed to be created for research, but 
human-animal hybrids banned. The only exception is to test the quality 
of sperm
* Canada * - Legislation bans the creation of human-animal embryos
* US * - Federal funds can only be used for research involving 
pre-existing embryos - such as those left over from fertility treatment 
- and there is a ban on hybrid embryos
* Elsewhere * - Other countries do not specifically legislate on hybrid 
embryos. But Italy and Germany only allow the use of pre-existing 
embryos and many others including Austria, Norway and Tunisia do not 
allow embryo research at all
"

"
* Using hybrid embryos has never been acceptable - it offends the 
dignity of humans and animals *
Josephine Quintavalle
Comment on Reproductive Ethics
"

"
* Our top-class researchers can now proceed with their applications to 
conduct this world-leading research *
Dr Evan Harris
Lib Dem MP
"

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