PIONEERING projects are ready to go in Britain after MPs voted by 366 to 174
to allow controversial research on embryos. The decision, which will legalise
the creation of human clones for research into “serious diseases”, may pave the
way for similar laws in other countries.
Prior to last month’s milestone vote in the House of Commons, research on
embryos was confined to combating infertility. But if the changes are approved
by the House of Lords, from 31 January scientists will also be allowed to
experiment on embryos to combat “serious diseases”.
Researchers have long wanted to use spare embryos from IVF treatment as a
source of embryonic stem cells, primordial cells that can give rise to all kinds
of tissues. They’re delighted their wish has been granted. “It’s a great
relief,” says Austin Smith of the Centre for Genome Research in Edinburgh.
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Like other researchers, Smith will have to apply for a licence from Britain’s
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Scientists will only use embryos
where donors have given specific permission.
“We’ll be able to see if we can change stem cells into nerve cells for
treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s
and, possibly, epilepsy, stroke and spinal cord injury—but that’s more
speculative,” Smith says.
Peter Andrew, a stem cell pioneer at the University of Sheffield, is also
delighted. “We’d like to derive embryonic stem cells ourselves from excess IVF
embryos,” says Andrew, who has been working legally on human embryonic stem
cells from the US.
Controversially, the changes to the law will allow researchers to harvest
embryonic stem cells from cloned embryos created by fusing a patient’s cell with
a human egg—the same technique used to create Dolly the cloned sheep.
This prospect most alarms opponents of the changes. In a speech before the
vote, Conservative MP Edward Leigh said: “For the first time we are saying that
we shall create cloned human embryos. This is something entirely new.” Peter
Garrett of the anti-abortion group Life said afterwards: “The ethical
implications are major. This is a momentous change.”
But neither Smith nor Andrew yet has any plans to create cloned embryos. “We
might think about it,” says Andrews. “I can’t see us doing it for a couple of
years at least,” says Smith.
The changes have been welcomed by stem cell researchers elsewhere in the
world. “It’s absolutely fabulous,” says Alan Trounson of the Monash Institute of
Reproduction and Development in Clayton, Australia. “It’s a tremendous fillip
for researchers, and the more these things are endorsed by other countries and
legislatures, the better.”
“It will promote acceptance of this research throughout the world,” says Evan
Snyder of Harvard Medical School. “Also, it will ensure this area of research is
not held simply in the hands of those with commercial interests at stake.”
Scientists are confident the new opportunities won’t be abused. “The HFEA has
shown itself very capable of striking a good balance between public
acceptability and scientific advance,” says Martin Bobrow of the Cambridge
Institute for Medical Research.