UK may U-turn on human-animal embryos ban
Tony Blair has indicated that the Government may
back down over plans to outlaw “human-animal” cloned embryos in
research that could improve the lives of those with motor neurone disease and
Alzheimer’s.
Tony Blair has indicated that the Government may
back down over plans to outlaw “human-animal” cloned embryos
in research that could improve the lives of those with motor neurone disease and
Alzheimer’s.
The Times revealed yesterday that leading scientists were opposing attempts by ministers to prohibit experiments that involved fusing human DNA with animal eggs. A White Paper, published last month, proposed outlawing the creation of such embryos, at least initially, which the scientists said would deny society one of the most powerful tools available for medical research.
However, the Prime Minister said that the Government was “not dead set against” creating embryos that were part animal and part human. Mr Blair said that there were difficult issues surrounding the embryos, which would be more than 99 per cent human but have a small animal component.
The Times revealed that five leading scientists had made an impassioned plea to the Government and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates embryo research. It will meet on Wednesday to discuss its policy on the issue and its approach over applications for licences to create the embryos.
The UK has avoided to a certain extent the superstitious claptrap inhibiting embryonic stem cell research in the United States.
Bringing Human-Sheep embryos to full term would probably produce the kind of voters the “coalition of the willing” prefers.
The Times revealed yesterday that leading scientists were opposing attempts by ministers to prohibit experiments that involved fusing human DNA with animal eggs. A White Paper, published last month, proposed outlawing the creation of such embryos, at least initially, which the scientists said would deny society one of the most powerful tools available for medical research.
However, the Prime Minister said that the Government was “not dead set against” creating embryos that were part animal and part human. Mr Blair said that there were difficult issues surrounding the embryos, which would be more than 99 per cent human but have a small animal component.
The Times revealed that five leading scientists had made an impassioned plea to the Government and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates embryo research. It will meet on Wednesday to discuss its policy on the issue and its approach over applications for licences to create the embryos.
The UK has avoided to a certain extent the superstitious claptrap inhibiting embryonic stem cell research in the United States.
Bringing Human-Sheep embryos to full term would probably produce the kind of voters the “coalition of the willing” prefers.
Posted: Sun - January 7, 2007 at 10:47 AM