.bmp)
.bmp)
Hybrid embryos containing both human and animal material could be created in British laboratories within months.The controversial research was given a green light yesterday by the UK's fertility regulator.A shortage of human eggs led scientists to seek permission to make hybrid embryos from human skin cells and animal eggs such as those from cows, which are plentiful in slaughterhouses.Two teams of scientists are poised to start making cow-human hybrids for research into incurable diseases, with at least one project expected to start by the end of the year.Stem cell expert Dr Stephen Minger, who wants to use the embryos to study conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease, said the work could "revolutionise drug discovery".But the decision by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is likely to be subject to a High Court challenge, with opponents claiming the watchdog is not entitled to rule on the issue.Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said last night: "There is a sense from some people that scientists should never be stopped in their tracks."Reproduction with animals has been taboo since the beginning of recorded time and that taboo has remained with us for a reason."This is tampering at a very basic level."Britain is one of the first Western countries to approve such research.The creation of hybrid embryos is banned in Australia and many European countries but experiments have been carried out in the Far East and the research is allowed in Canada.The process involves removing the genetic material from the animal egg and replacing it with human DNA.After being kick-started by an electric current, the egg would develop into an embryo from which stem cells-the body's master cells-can be harvested.Such cells would be made available to scientists around the world to study the causes of disease and develop potential treatments.The embryos, known as cytoplasmic, would be more than 99 per cent human.They would have to be destroyed after 14 days and could not be implanted into women.Scientists' hopes of using such hybrids were initially jeopardised by plans to outlaw such research under a shake-up of the ageing fertility laws.But in May, Ministers dramatically changed their minds, with a draft bill approving the creation of hybrids for research into serious diseases as long as it is carried out by scientists licensed by the HFEA.Yesterday, the HFEA, which is being asked to rule on two applications by scientists before the new law comes into force, approved the creation of hybrids in principle.To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah...
