PIONEERING projects are ready to go in Britain after MPs voted by 366 to 174
to allow controversial research on embryos. The decision, which will legalise
the creation of human clones for research into 鈥渟erious diseases鈥�, may pave the
way for similar laws in other countries.
Prior to last month鈥檚 milestone vote in the House of Commons, research on
embryos was confined to combating infertility. But if the changes are approved
by the House of Lords, from 31 January scientists will also be allowed to
experiment on embryos to combat 鈥渟erious diseases鈥�.
Researchers have long wanted to use spare embryos from IVF treatment as a
source of embryonic stem cells, primordial cells that can give rise to all kinds
of tissues. They鈥檙e delighted their wish has been granted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great
relief,鈥� says Austin Smith of the Centre for Genome Research in Edinburgh.
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Like other researchers, Smith will have to apply for a licence from Britain鈥檚
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. 快猫短视频s will only use embryos
where donors have given specific permission.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be able to see if we can change stem cells into nerve cells for
treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson鈥檚 disease, Huntington鈥檚
and, possibly, epilepsy, stroke and spinal cord injury鈥攂ut that鈥檚 more
speculative,鈥� Smith says.
Peter Andrew, a stem cell pioneer at the University of Sheffield, is also
delighted. 鈥淲e鈥檇 like to derive embryonic stem cells ourselves from excess IVF
embryos,鈥� says Andrew, who has been working legally on human embryonic stem
cells from the US.
Controversially, the changes to the law will allow researchers to harvest
embryonic stem cells from cloned embryos created by fusing a patient鈥檚 cell with
a human egg鈥攖he same technique used to create Dolly the cloned sheep.
This prospect most alarms opponents of the changes. In a speech before the
vote, Conservative MP Edward Leigh said: 鈥淔or the first time we are saying that
we shall create cloned human embryos. This is something entirely new.鈥� Peter
Garrett of the anti-abortion group Life said afterwards: 鈥淭he ethical
implications are major. This is a momentous change.鈥�
But neither Smith nor Andrew yet has any plans to create cloned embryos. 鈥淲e
might think about it,鈥� says Andrews. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 see us doing it for a couple of
years at least,鈥� says Smith.
The changes have been welcomed by stem cell researchers elsewhere in the
world. 鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely fabulous,鈥� says Alan Trounson of the Monash Institute of
Reproduction and Development in Clayton, Australia. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous fillip
for researchers, and the more these things are endorsed by other countries and
legislatures, the better.鈥�
鈥淚t will promote acceptance of this research throughout the world,鈥� says Evan
Snyder of Harvard Medical School. 鈥淎lso, it will ensure this area of research is
not held simply in the hands of those with commercial interests at stake.鈥�
快猫短视频s are confident the new opportunities won鈥檛 be abused. 鈥淭he HFEA has
shown itself very capable of striking a good balance between public
acceptability and scientific advance,鈥� says Martin Bobrow of the Cambridge
Institute for Medical Research.