Human-animal embryo hybrid testing given go ahead in UK

Early embryos yield stem cells,(photo courtesy of BBC news www.bbc.co.uk/news) 

The Uk’s fertility regulator Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has given the green light to two teams of scientists for the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos.

Scientists, research institutions and patient groups have challenged the UK government for much of the last year: the Department of Health wanted to prevent the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos – which would be used to create stem cells for medical research – but scientists argued it would slow down crucial work into treatments for diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes. Reason eventually triumphed and the government has now backed down.

Scientists from King’s College London and Newcastle University will now be able to carry out research using the embryos, which they hope will pave the way for new treatments for a range of diseases and conditions including diabetes.

Director of Research at Diabetes UK, Dr Iain Frame says of this highly sensitive issue:
“Diabetes UK has made a public commitment to supporting research using human embryos … However, given the pace and complexity of this area of medical research, it is also committed to reviewing its policy on this sensitive issue on a regular basis. … What is at issue here is not the possibility that science will create new forms of hybrid creatures. The law is already very clear that embryos created for the purpose of stem cell research will be destroyed.”

“Nevertheless, the question of hybrid embryos does raise ethical questions that are different in substance from those raised in previous consultations on stem cell research. The charity therefore welcomes further consultation on the question and will be consulting its stakeholders in due course.” Elaine Warburton