Embryonic Stem Cell Research A Go In Britain
Posted on: Thursday, 23 October 2008, 09:39 CDT
British lawmakers approved plans to allow scientists to use hybrid animal-human embryos for stem cell research in a major overhaul of sensitive science laws.
It was the first review of embryo science in Britain in almost 20 years.
The House of Commons also clarified laws that allow the screening of embryos to produce babies with suitable bone marrow or other material for transplant to sick siblings.
The legislators voted to approve the proposals after months of tough debate that has pitted Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government and scientists against religious leaders, anti-abortion campaigners and others anxious about medical advances.
Brown says scientists seeking to use mixed animal-human embryos for stem cell research will help improve and save millions of lives.
The process involves injecting an empty cow or rabbit egg with human DNA. Then electricity is used to trick the egg into dividing regularly, so that it becomes an embryo, from which stem cells can hopefully be extracted.
Scientists say the embryos are meant to address the shortage of human eggs available for stem cell research.
Britain has been a world leader in stem cell and cloning research. Similar work to create human embryos from animal eggs is also being conducted in China and the United States.
"One in seven couples need help with fertility treatment, 350,000 people live with Alzheimer's, every week there are five children born and three young people die from cystic fibrosis - all issues that this bill addresses," Health Minister Dawn Primarolo told lawmakers.
Brown is a strong supporter of stem cell science. He has said Britain owes it to future generations to support the research.
Opponents warn an easing of laws on creating human embryos could lead to the genetic engineering of human beings.
Under the new laws, in-vitro fertilization clinics will no longer have to consider the need for a child to have a father when deciding whether to offer treatment to lesbian couples.
Those opposed to insist the major change fails to acknowledge the role of a father in a child's life.
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Image Caption: A colony of embryonic stem cells, from the H9 cell line (NIH code: WA09). Viewed at 10X with Carl Zeiss Axiovert scope.
Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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