Wellcome Trust welcomes HFE Bill approval
29 October 2008
The Wellcome Trust particularly supports the aspects of the Bill that relate to research, ensuring it keeps apace with scientific and medical developments in the field while maintaining public confidence in the regulatory framework within which such research is approved. The Trust welcomed the provisions regulating the creation of human admixed embryos and the amendments to the specific consent provisions that will enable the use of existing cell lines and embryonic cell lines derived from children for research only.
The UK is currently a world leader in human reproductive technologies and stem cell research. These strengths present valuable opportunities to influence the international agenda, drive the translation of basic research to clinical benefits and attract skilled scientists and international investment in stem cell research. The Wellcome Trust has been working with the Medical Research Council, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society and the Association of Medical Research Charities to ensure the views of the research community have informed the debate, both in Parliament and among the general public.
Dr Walport added: "We're grateful that the government has listened to the views of the scientific community. The concept of mixing human and animal material is an area that has sparked much controversy but the HFE Bill includes the very safeguards that will ensure any research is regulated in a responsible way. It is crucial that we don't close down any avenues of medical research that could eventually lead to improvements in the lives of many thousands of people."
Image: Human embryonic stem cells; Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images