Creation of human-animal embryos Sparks debate in Britain

iul Well-Known Member

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http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/01/05/chimeras.html

Article pasted here for your convenience:

The British government proposes to ban the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos that scientists hope to use to find treatments for degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Creating the hybrids, called chimeras, involves taking human DNA from the skin cells of people suffering from the diseases and placing it in an animal egg.

The resulting embryo is 99.5 per cent human, giving scientists a source of stem cells for research. There is a shortage of human eggs for researchers to work with in Britain.

The nucleus of the animal embryo is removed from the egg, making it little more than a shell, scientists say.

Cells are harvested after six days and the embryo is destroyed after two weeks. The mixed embryos are not permitted to grow to maturity.

Human-animal hybrids are already outlawed in Canada under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, and the British government is proposing similar legislation within a year.

Consultations in Britain showed widespread discomfort among the public with the idea of chimeras. People said they were horrified by images of mice with human ears growing on their backs and pigs bred with human blood running through their veins.

Researchers say the concept of chimeras is misunderstood and stress that the embryos would never be allowed to mature.

Scientists hope that studies on stem cells ï¿½â‚¬â€ immature cells that have the ability to become many types of tissues ï¿½â‚¬â€ could lead to better understanding of and treatment for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Britain's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, or HFEA, will make a policy decision on the licensing of human-animal embryo research on Jan. 10, according to the body's website.
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pretty weird stuff huh?

iul, Jan 7, 2007 IP

Correctus Straight Edge

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pigs bred with human blood
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If that happens, there'd never be any shortage for human blood anywhere.

IT

Correctus, Jan 7, 2007 IP

sunmoon Peon

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Cloning is a sensitive issue. I personally like the idea that cloning could save human lives (organ and etc). BUT hollywood paints a scary picture. I think cloning needs more time to develope (R&D), at least until it becomes mature enough. When will it becomes mature or attends the title of 'mature', i have no idea. i hope it gives more good than bad.

sunmoon, Jan 8, 2007 IP

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Creation of human-animal embryos Sparks debate in Britain

iul Well-Known Member

Correctus Straight Edge

sunmoon Peon

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