It could implicate elder law–and it’s too creepy for words
British regulators have agreed in principle to allow human-animal embryos to be created and used for research.Scientists say such research is essentia. Regulators have agreed in principle to allow human-animal embryos to be created and used for research. But scientists wanting to use hybrids will still need to make individual applications, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said. An HFEA consultation showed the public were “at ease” with the idea when told it could pave the way for therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Opponents have said many people would be “horrified” by such a move. Scientists want to create hybrid embryos by merging human cells with animal eggs in a bid to extract stem cells. The embryos would then be destroyed within 14 days. The cells form the basic building blocks of the body and have the potential to become any tissue, making them essential for research. At the moment, scientists have to rely on human eggs left over from fertility treatment, but they are in short supply and are not always good quality.
WHAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE?
Australia – Embryos allowed to be created for research, but human-animal hybrids banned. The only exception is to test the quality of sperm
Canada – Legislation bans the creation of human-animal embryos
US – Federal funds can only be used for research involving pre-existing embryos – such as those left over from fertility treatment – and there is a ban on hybrid embryos
Elsewhere – Other countries do not specifically legislate on hybrid embryos. But Italy and Germany only allow the use of pre-existing embryos and many others including Austria, Norway and Tunisia do not allow embryo research at all.