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【bio-news】生育委员会延迟对动物－人 胚胎的研
Fertility watchdog delays ruling on animal-human embryo research
Nigel Hawkes, Health Editor
The Government’s advisory committee on fertility has decided to delay its decision on whether to allow the creation of human-animal embryos.
Rather than accepting or rejecting two research applications before it, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has deferred a ruling until the autumn. It will issue a consultation paper, await responses from the public, and use these to inform its decision.
The scientists said they were grateful that their applications had not been rejected outright, as the Government apparently wanted, but they now face delays and the decision could still go against them. The HFEA decided that it had the right to rule on the appropriateness of the experiments, but declined to exercise this right immediately. It will wait until a full public debate and inquiry can be held.
Angela McNab, the authority’s chief executive, said: “The issues around hybrid and chimaera research are unique and different from mainstream human embryo research. They have proved challenging, but as the independent regulator we have a duty to judge this work under the current law.
“This has proved complex and challenging, as the law in this area is far from explicit and this area of research would be a significant step-change in UK science. After careful consideration, the authority ruled that, under current legislation, these sorts of research would potentially fall within the remit of the HFEA to regulate and license and would not be prohibited by the legislation.
“After weighing up the scientific, legal and ethical issues . . . the authority decided that there needs to be a full and proper public debate and consultation.”
Stephen Minger, of King’s College London, who wants to harvest stem cells from hybrid embryos to study Parkinson’s disease, said: “Although we are disappointed that the HFEA has not recommended that our research applications go to the licensing committee, we are happy with their decision.
“This will hopefully provide the scientific community the opportunity to inform the public and Government of the merit of this research, which we feel will provide valuable new research tools for developing new therapies for devastating neurological disorders.
“One good outcome is that the HFEA has not buckled under pressure from the Government on this issue.”
Lyle Armstrong, lecturer in stem-cell biology at Newcastle University, said: “Overall, I think the HFEA announcement is a lot better than it could have been. They have not supported an outright ban of our work and the possibility of a further public consultation exercise gives us the opportunity to explain why the science is so very important.”
Lord Rees of Ludlow, president of the Royal Society, said: “It is unfortunate that this judgment has been delayed. However, the decision to consult widely to reach a consensus on this complex issue is a sensible one. It is now vital that the consultation takes account of our current understanding of the science and the potential future benefits. Stem-cell research is still in its early stages and it is essential that we do not close off avenues for potential development before they have been fully explored.”
Human-animal embryos would give scientists a ready source of embryonic stem cells on which to carry out research, without having to rely on human eggs. The animal-human embryos would not be allowed to develop beyond 14 days, the practice with human embryos used in research.
Scientists hope that the research will lead to treatments and cures for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, motor neuron disease, diabetes and heart failure.
Evan Harris, who has championed the research and organised a letter from leading scientists published in The Times this week, said that the decision was a “blow to the Government”.
He said: “We welcome the HFEA’s decision not to join the Government in its bizarre and irrational approach to this form of research. I am heartened that the HFEA, in a response to a government consultation, previously expressed support for this research and has not seen need to retract this. This is a huge boost to our campaign.”
The Government is due to produce a draft Bill on the issue in March, which will be scrutinised by a parliamentary select committee before being debated by MPs.
Professor Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, said that the postponement was disappointing. “The ensuing delay will be a blow to scientists and to those who pin their hopes on advances in medical research to tackle diseases which affect them or their loved ones.” 本人已经认领此文. 如在48小时内未能提交译文, 其他战友可自由认领.
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作者:admin@医学,生命科学 2011-03-04 17:11
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