Go-ahead for hybrid human-animal embryos
Pastor Dale Morgan
Fri 18 May 2007
*Go-ahead for hybrid human-animal embryos*
LYNDSAY MOSS HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
THE government yesterday bowed to pressure from scientists to allow the
creation of hybrid animal-human embryos for stem-cell research.
A white paper published last year proposed banning the use of hybrid
embryos amid fierce opposition to the research from pro-life groups.
But yesterday, the draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill reopened the door
for such research, which scientists claim is essential if they are to
find treatments for serious diseases such as Alzheimer's.
The bill allows scientists to create "cytoplasmic" hybrid embryos, which
are 99.9 per cent human and 0.1 per cent animal, such as cow or rabbit.
The legislation also goes further, in that it allows human embryos to be
altered by the introduction of animal DNA.
It is hoped that the hybrid embryos - also referred to as chimeras -
could help tackle the shortage of human eggs available for research.
Caroline Flint, the public health minister in Westminster, denied the
government had staged a climbdown on the hybrid issue. She said that the
white paper had always left the door open for specific research on a
case-by-case basis.
True hybrids - creatures created by the fusion of sperm and eggs -
remain outlawed. In all cases, it remains illegal to allow hybrid
embryos to grow for more than 14 days or for them to be implanted in a womb.
This period allows enough time for scientists to harvest stem cells for
their work.
The consultation on the white paper was criticised for allegedly being
hijacked by members of the pro-life lobby, who are opposed to such research.
Ms Flint said scientists had since come forward to make their reasons
for needing to use hybrid embryos much clearer.
While some grey areas remain, scientists welcomed the U-turn in the
bill, which will now face parliamentary scrutiny.
Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, of the Medical Research Council National
Institute for Medical Research, said: "I am very pleased the draft bill
proposes research involving mixtures of animal and human material.
"This research has many potential benefits for the understanding of
disease and for treatments, and it should not be feared."
Professor Chris Shaw, from Guy's, King's and St Thomas's School of
Medicine in London, who wants to study motor neurone disease using stem
cells, welcomed the decision, but added: "We reserve final judgment
until it becomes law."
However, Dr David King, the director of the campaign group Human
Genetics Alert, which is strongly opposed to hybrid research, said: "Do
not be fooled by the claim this is just research.
"Once we start down the path to GM babies, it will become very hard to
turn back."
What is a hybrid animal-human embryo?
Scientists take DNA from human cells and place it in animal eggs which
have had most of their genetic material removed. Embryos grown from the
eggs are more than 99 per cent human, with only a tiny animal component.
Once the embryos have been grown in the lab - for no longer than 14 days
- scientists can harvest stem cells for research.
Why do we need to use animal eggs anyway?
Ideally, scientists would collect stem cells from human eggs, but there
is a severe shortage of such eggs, holding up research with the
potential to help millions with serious diseases. Hybrid research allows
scientists to use eggs from animals such as rabbits and cows, which are
in plentiful supply.
Experts also believe that it is easier to collect stem cells from hybrid
embryos.
Why will such research be useful?
Stem cells harvested from the hybrid embryos are a valuable resource, as
they are the body's master cells, with the ability to develop into
different tissue types.
Which conditions could be helped through hybrid embryo research?
Stem cell research could be helpful in finding treatments for a wide
range of conditions, including serious illnesses such as Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. Some also
hope healthy stem cells could be implanted in humans to replace faulty
cells and cure their illness.
Who is hoping to carry out research with hybrid embryos?
Two teams of British scientists, from London and Newcastle, have already
sought permission to create animal-human hybrids for research. Professor
Ian Wilmut, of Edinburgh University, had also been preparing his
application for chimera research.
Why is hybrid research so controversial?
Some campaigners have questioned whether it is ethical to mix human and
animal material.
Pro-life campaigners have opposed stem cell research because embryos are
destroyed when the cells are harvested.