- Scientists at Newcastle University today became the first
researchers in the UK to be granted permission to clone human embryos for
medical research.
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- The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has
approved an application from a team led by Professor Alison Murdoch and
Dr Miodrag Stojkovic to clone human embryos and use them as sources of
embryonic stem cells.
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- Such cells have the potential to form any of the hundreds
of different tissues found in the body. The researchers aim to use them
to find a solution to diabetes.
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- Cloning human embryos to make babies is outlawed in Britain,
but so-called therapeutic cloning, whereby embryos are created for research,
was made legal under strict guidelines in 2002.
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- Today Professor Murdoch, of the Newcastle NHS fertility
centre, said: "We're absolutely thrilled. The potential this area
of research offers is immensely exciting and we are keen to take the work
we've done so far to the next level. Since we submitted our application
we have had overwhelming support from senior scientists and clinicians
from all over the world and many letters from patients who may benefit
from the research."
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- She added: "This research should give valuable insight
into the development of many diseases. Realistically, we have at least
five years of further laboratory-based work to do before we move to clinical
trials but this could be reduced if we receive additional funding which
would allow us to increase the size of our team."
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- Many scientists believe embryonic stem cell research
could usher in cures for conditions as diverse as Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's and motor neurone disease. But the technique is controversial.
President George Bush has opposed its development in the US and critics
in the UK had called on the HFEA to reject the Newcastle application, calling
the research unethical, unnecessary and dangerous.
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- Dr Stojkovic, a reader at Newcastle University, added,
"Newcastle is now the national frontrunner in this area of research
but pressure is mounting in the United States for its scientists to be
allowed to do this work. If we are to stay at the cutting edge, we must
get further financial backing or, as has happened before, the UK will lose
out."
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- The authority can grant licences for research on embryos
only if the work meets at least one of three tests: that it will increase
our understanding of how embryos develop, improve our knowledge of serious
disease, or enable the development of treatments for serious disease. Embryos
created for research must be destroyed before they are 14 days old, when
they are a ball of cells no larger than a pinhead.
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- The HFEA has already studied the Newcastle scientists'
CVs, sent the team's application to leading academics for comment and carried
out an inspection of the labs where the research might take place.
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- The Newcastle group plans to take unfertilised eggs,
which would otherwise be discarded as surplus from IVF clinics, and remove
the genetic material inside them. The hollowed-out eggs will then be filled
with genetic material taken from the skin cells of diabetics.
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- Nurturing the eggs for six to eight days produces a tiny
ball of around 100 cells, from which embryonic stem cells can be extracted.
By treating the stem cells with various growth promoters, Dr Stojkovic
plans to turn the stem cells into pancreas cells.
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- Because they are genetically identical to the other cells
in the person's body, the newly created pancreas cells can be implanted
without being rejected by the immune system. Once there, they should start
producing insulin, potentially curing the condition.
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- EducationGuardian.co.uk © Guardian Newspapers Limited
2004 http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/research/story/0,9865,1280916,00.html
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