Hybrid human-animal egg research 'not illegal'
Stem cell research from hybrid embryos has drawn controversy
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Thursday, 11, Jan 2007 12:34
Research mixing animal eggs with human cells is not illegal under current laws and potentially falls under the remit of the UK's independent regulator of fertility treatment and embryo research, it was announced this morning.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) discussed yesterday the principles into the research following applications from two teams at Newcastle University and Kings College London to carry out the work.
Proponents of the research argue that it could help to find a cure for debilitating illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Cow and rabbit eggs are said to be vital as human eggs are in short supply and animal cells are thought to hold the potential to reveal more than is previously known about how cells behave.
Angela McNab, chief executive of the HFEA, said that the issues involved are "complex and challenging" but the regulator has "a duty" to judge the work under current law.
"The law in this area is far from explicit and this area of research would be a significant step change in UK science," she announced.
"After careful consideration the Authority ruled that, under current legislation, these sorts of research would potentially fall with the remit of the HFEA to regulate and licence and would not be prohibited by the legislation."
Ms McNab added that as the issue is "far from black and white" a "full and proper" public debate and consultation should now take place to determine whether licences for hybrid embryo research should be granted.
"It would be wrong to make an immediate judgment on these complex and controversial matters before we have built up a proper body of evidence," she explained.
"When the consultation has been completed in the autumn, we will then be in a position to consider individual applications."
Applications received by HFEA seek permission to create hybrid embryos that would be 0.1 per cent animal and 99.9 per cent human. The embryos would not be allowed to develop and would be destroyed after two weeks under the terms of the licence.
Commenting on the applications in November, the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics said that the research could "undermine" the distinction between animal and human rights.