Scientists’ plea to use hybrid embryos for medical research
Britain’s leading scientists have made a
final plea for the right to create the first animal-human embryos for medical
research.
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Britain’s leading scientists have made a final plea for the right to create the first animal-human embryos for medical research using eggs taken from dead cows.
The issue is controversial because it involves scientists taking an animal egg, removing its genetic material and putting DNA from a human cell into it. This can be used to create lines of stem cells which can then be made part of studies into incurable genetic diseases such as motor neurone disease.
However, it has caused controversy as some campaigners and religious groups argue that it is unethical to mix human and animal cells in this way.
The Catholic Church has made clear its opposition. Bishops told the parliamentary committee scrutinising a draft bill to allow the research to go ahead, that they opposed the creation of any embryo solely for research - they believe that all life begins at conception. In a submission to the committee, they said: ‘At the very least, embryos with a preponderance of human genes should be assumed to be embryonic human beings, and be treated accordingly.’
The legality of the procedure was affirmed in January. The predictable confrontation between science and the warriors of one or another god is now at full thunder and brimstone.
Hopefully, reason, objectivity and science shall prevail.
Posted: Sun - August 26, 2007 at 05:31 AM