Summary
This Report
‘Government
Proposals for the Regulation of Hybrid and Chimera Embryos’ (HC 272-I) is
a response by the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee to
the publication of Government proposals to prohibit the creation of
human-animal chimera or hybrid embryos for research for the time being,
published as
‘Review
of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act’, (Cm. 6989).
It also takes account of recent applications from researchers for licences
to create human-animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos for research.
Since
the
Human
Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 there have been significant
developments in science and medicine and there is a need for revised
legislation in this area of research.
The Committee finds that the
creation of human-animal chimera or hybrid embryos, and specifically
cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, is necessary for research. However, development of
human-animal chimera or hybrid embryos past the 14-day stage should be
prohibited and there should be a prohibition on the implantation of
human-animal chimera or hybrid embryos in a woman.
The Committee is
critical of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for delaying
assessment of applications for licences to create cytoplasmic hybrid embryos
for research. The Government proposals are considered prohibitive. Some
research practices should be permitted under licence immediately.
Found this story interesting?
Spread the news by clicking
below to add it to your bookmarking service:
How does it affect me?
If you work in
the science and technology sector or are interested in the associated moral and
ethical issues, this affects you.
The Committee proposes mechanisms for
legislation and regulation of the creation of human-animal chimera or hybrid
embryos for research.
The report criticises the Government for not
clearly setting out the areas of research practice intended to fall under the
proposed legislation and suggests that greater attention should be paid to
implications of the proposals for current research practice and the UK research
base.
