UK: Parliament Votes to Allow Creation of Human Animal Hybrids

Exaggerated hope for cures leads Brits to cross a terrible line...

From "MPs back creation of human-animal embryos" by Mark Henderson and Francis Elliot, posted 5/20/08 at timesonline.co

British scientists will be allowed to research devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s using human-animal embryos, after the House of Commons rejected a ban yesterday.

An amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would have outlawed the creation of “human admixed embryos” for medical research was defeated in a free vote by a majority of 160, preserving what Gordon Brown regarded as a central element of the legislation.

...A second amendment, which would have banned the creation of “true hybrids” made by fertilising an animal egg with human sperm, or vice-versa, was...defeated yesterday by a majority of 63. Another free vote last night was expected to approve the use of embryo-screening to create “saviour siblings” suitable to donate umbilical cord blood to sick children.

Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, moving the amendment to ban all admixed embryos, said that mingling animal and human DNA crossed an “ultimate boundary”. He said that exaggerated claims were giving patients false hope and that the dangers of the research were unknown. “In many ways we are like children playing with landmines without any concept of the dangers of the technology we are handling,” he said.

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Part-Human Embryos are a Chilling Step Closer as Watchdog Gives Go-Ahead for Hybrid 'Chimeras'

From "Part-human embryos are a chilling step closer as watchdog gives go-ahead for hybrid 'chimeras'" by Fiona McRae, posted 9/5/07 at DailyMail

The creation of part-human, part-animal embryos looks set to be approved by the fertility regulator tomorrow.

These "hybrid" embryos would be used for research into incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The news follows a surprise Government decision not to ban the controversial research.

A shortage of human eggs has led two groups of scientists to appeal to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for permission to make hybrid embryos from human skin cells and animal eggs.

Cows' eggs are most likely to be used, because they are in plentiful supply.

Scientists say the creation of hybrid embryos has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of debilitating diseases which affect millions.

But opponents believe mixing of human and animal genetic material defies nature.

They are also unhappy about the destruction of embryos that such research inevitably entails.

The scientists' hopes to use hybrids were initially jeopardised by a proposal to outlaw such research under a shake-up of outdated fertility laws.

But in May, Labour ministers dramatically changed their minds.

However, only scientists who are researching serious diseases - and are licensed by the HFEA - will be allowed to carry out such procedures.

While the fertility watchdog has yet to rule on the issue, its ethical and scientific experts are in favour of the creation of hybrids.

The watchdog looks suspiciously like a fox...

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