Promoting debate about mixed-species embryos
9 February 2009
In 2007, the Government introduced draft legislation to update the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. Perhaps the most contentious change was a provision to allow the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos - seen by scientists as vital in embryonic stem cell research but of ethical concern to some groups. To encourage informed discussion about a potentially highly emotive subject, the Wellcome Trust organised a range of briefings and other activities to communicate the scientific, medical and ethical context of the new Act.
the UK has a well-established regulatory framework for research on human embryos, rooted in the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. The new legislation was designed to take account of the rapid pace of change since 1990, including the use of human-animal hybrid embryos, a potential source of human embryonic stem cells.
Although of great medical potential, research on such cells is held back by a lack of human material. To overcome this difficulty, human DNA can be inserted into non-human eggs and early-stage embryos grown to the point at which embryonic stem cells can be isolated.
To promote a reasoned debate, the Trust developed briefing material on the key issues for members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Trust also helped to arrange meetings between scientists and MPs, to explain the science contained in the legislation and the potential medical benefits of research.
Thanks to these efforts, and those of scientists, other organisations and patient groups, the UK Government was persuaded that the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos in medical research was justified.
In addition to its work with politicians, the Trust also organised public engagement activities to encourage broader informed debate. These included a leaflet about human-animal hybrid embryos and their value in research, a supplement in The Times on stem cells, a web spotlight including interviews with stem cell scientists, and a Radio 4 debate chaired by Ed Stourton from the Today programme.
The work has helped to ensure that research in the UK can continue within a transparent and ethically robust regulatory framework. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has recently granted licences to three research groups to create human-animal hybrid embryos for research in areas including muscular dystrophy and heart disease.
Image: An early human embryo.