UK : The human-animal hybrid embryo plan

London, England (AHN) - The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority is expected
to announce its decision next week regarding controversial work of two British scientists
who plan to mix human and animal cells in order to research cures for degenerative
diseases.

However, the British scientists believe that their plan of creating a partly human and
partly animal embryo, if halted, would hinder their work on potentially life-saving new
treatments that could possibly benefit hundreds of patients.

The hybrid embryos, if created, would be around 99.9 per cent human and 0.1 per cent
animal in order to produce embryonic stem cells - the body`s basic building blocks that
can grow into all other types of cells.

According to The Telegraph`s UK edition, the new embryos would provide new hopes for
patients suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer`s, Parkinson`s, cystic fibrosis, motor
neuron disease and Huntington`s.

Dr. Stephen Minger at King`s College, London, and Dr Lyle Armstrong at the North East
England Stem Cell Institute, in Newcastle, are the two lead researchers in this project.
They have assured that the hybrid embryos would be destroyed within 14 days - a time
when they have not started developing much.

According to Dr. Minger, "Informally we have been told [by the HFEA] they are unlikely to
grant permission for our applications.

"At present we have no therapies to even alleviate the symptoms for conditions such as
Alzheimer`s, spinal muscular dystrophy and motor neuron disease, never mind make an
impact on disease progression."

However, the new idea has been highly criticized by many people as undermining "the
whole distinction between animals and humans". They also feel that this is tampering
with nature and is unethical.

Josephine Quintavalle, the director of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, told the

newspaper, "This kind of research makes people feel uncomfortable. There has been a
groundswell of public concern and I think the HFEA has realized that."

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006046206

/Siyavash
2007-01-07 02:04
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