Ethics Newsline®

LONDON
In one of the more controversial applications of stem cell research, British scientists may be able to create “interspecies” embryos by the end of the year following a decision by a government medical panel.

The Times of London reports that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority agreed in principle to give the go-ahead to two teams that want to fuse human DNA with cow eggs to produce embryos from which they can extract stem cells — a process producing what are called cytoplasmic hybrids, or “cybrids,” as they have been dubbed in the British press.

Proponents of the technique say it is a more efficient and ethical way to obtain stem cells because it does not involve the harvesting and destruction of human eggs, according to a report from Wired.

The U.K. Guardian notes that the decision followed a three-month public consultation period that included administration of an opinion poll, which found that 61 percent of the public approved of interspecies embryonic research if it would lead to improved understanding of disease.

Scientists involved in stem cell research say the derived tissue can be used to regenerate damaged organs and tissues caused by diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Opponents have posed ethical and religious objections to the creation of an animal-human hybrid, reports the London Daily Telegraph, and influential groups such as the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship and Comment on Reproductive Ethics are considering seeking a judicial appeal of the decision.