Latest stem cell news from Britain
September 6th 2007 09:59
From BBC News, Wednesday 5 September, 2007:
"Regulators have agreed in principle to allow human-animal embryos to be created and used for research.
"But scientists wanting to use hybrids will still need to make individual applications, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said.
"An HFEA consultation showed the public were "at ease" with the idea when told it could pave the way for therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
"Opponents have said many people would be "horrified" by such a move.
"Scientists want to create hybrid embryos by merging human cells with animal eggs in a bid to extract stem cells. The embryos would then be destroyed within 14 days.
"The cells form the basic building blocks of the body and have the potential to become any tissue, making them essential for research.
"At the moment, scientists have to rely on human eggs left over from fertility treatment, but they are in short supply and are not always good quality."
Continue reading here.
I'm all for this. In fact, I see it as unethical NOT to peruse this type of research if it can lead to advancements in treatments of debilitating diseases and disorders. Of course, such research rightfully needs to be regulated (to guard against abuse and fraud), and there should indeed be a public debate over it. But I am eager for such debate to be based upon facts, not knee-jerk reactions. Objections pertaining to "dignity" are irrational nonsense, and they are hypocritical. These scientists have no intention of creating weird chimeric monsters for the sake of some nefarious scheme. They are trying to find solutions to human problems, and they should be empowered to do so.
"Regulators have agreed in principle to allow human-animal embryos to be created and used for research.
"But scientists wanting to use hybrids will still need to make individual applications, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said.
"An HFEA consultation showed the public were "at ease" with the idea when told it could pave the way for therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
"Opponents have said many people would be "horrified" by such a move.
"Scientists want to create hybrid embryos by merging human cells with animal eggs in a bid to extract stem cells. The embryos would then be destroyed within 14 days.
"The cells form the basic building blocks of the body and have the potential to become any tissue, making them essential for research.
"At the moment, scientists have to rely on human eggs left over from fertility treatment, but they are in short supply and are not always good quality."
Continue reading here.
I'm all for this. In fact, I see it as unethical NOT to peruse this type of research if it can lead to advancements in treatments of debilitating diseases and disorders. Of course, such research rightfully needs to be regulated (to guard against abuse and fraud), and there should indeed be a public debate over it. But I am eager for such debate to be based upon facts, not knee-jerk reactions. Objections pertaining to "dignity" are irrational nonsense, and they are hypocritical. These scientists have no intention of creating weird chimeric monsters for the sake of some nefarious scheme. They are trying to find solutions to human problems, and they should be empowered to do so.
Source: BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6978384.stm#graphic
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