The UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has agreed in principle to allow the creation of embryos that contain both human and animal material. 'Cybrid' embryo research - a technique to derive human embryonic stem cells (ES cells) using 'hollowed-out' animal eggs - has been the focus of much discussion in the UK, following a proposed ban on their use. The HFEA's decision follows a public consultation, which found that 61 per cent of around 2000 respondents agreed with the research, if it might improve understanding of diseases, while a quarter opposed it.
The HFEA launched its consultation earlier this year, after considering applications from two research teams who want to use cow or rabbit eggs to generate ES cells. The two groups, lead by Dr Stephen Minger, of King's College London, and Dr Lyle Armstrong, of the University of Newcastle, are now expected to be granted licences to carry out their work. Another application will also shortly be submitted from scientists working on motor neurone disease, based at King's College and the University of Edinburgh, according to the Times newspaper.
Dr Armstrong said: 'This is excellent news. It is 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'. The scientists want to use enucleated animal eggs - those from which the nucleus, containing the vast majority of an egg's genetic material, has been removed. Genetic material from human patients could then be added to these empty eggs, and the resulting embryos used to create ES cells that are virtually human. The scientists hope that this approach will overcome the lack of human eggs available for such research, which offers hope for understanding and treating serious illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
In response to the HFEA's decision, Professor Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, said: 'It is good news that the HFEA has recognised that the creation of human-animal embryos for research - specifically cytoplasmic hybrid embryos - is within its power to license', adding 'this is a sound decision based on the views gathered from both scientists and the wider public'.
Draft legislation published by the Government last year would ban the creation of embryos that contain genetic material from both animals and humans, but it will make an exception for cybrid embryos. True 'inter-species' hybrids, those created by the mixing of animal and human gametes, would remain prohibited by the new law.
Sources and References
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Go-ahead for hybrid embryo research praised
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Britain gets hybrid embryo go-ahead
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British scientists given go-ahead to create human-animal embryos
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