May 11, 2008
Scientist team creates first GM human embryoSarah-
Scientists have created what is believed to be the first genetically
modified (GM) human embryo.
A team from Cornell University in New York produced the GM embryo to
study how early cells and diseases develop. It was destroyed after
five days.
The British regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority (HFEA), has warned that such controversial experiments
cause "large ethical and public interest issues".
News of the development comes days before MPs are to debate
legislation that would allow scientists to use similar techniques in
this country.
The effects of changing an embryo would be permanent. Genes added to
embryos or reproductive cells, such as sperm, will affect all cells
in the body and will be passed on to future generations.
The technology could potentially be used to correct genes which cause
diseases such as cystic fibrosis, haemophilia and even cancer. In
theory, any gene that has been identified could be added to embryos.
Ethicists warn that genetically modifying embryos could lead to the
addition of genes for desirable traits such as height, intelligence
and hair colour.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which will have its
second reading this week, will make it legal to create GM embryos in
Britain.
The bill will allow GM embryos to be created only for research and
will ban implantation in the womb. Ethicists, however, say that the
legislation could be relaxed in the future.
The HFEA has said that it is preparing for scientists to apply for
licences to create GM embryos. A paper, published by the authority,
states: "The bill has taken away all inhibitions on genetically
altering human embryos for research. The Science and Clinical
Advances Group [of the HFEA] thought there were large ethical and
public interest issues and that these should be referred for debate."
The Cornell team, led by Nikica Zaninovic, used a virus to add a
gene, a green fluorescent protein, to an embryo left over from in
vitro fertilisation.
The research was presented at a meeting of the American Society of
Reproductive Medicine last year but details have emerged only after
the HFEA highlighted the work in a review of the technology.
Zaninovic pointed out that in order to be sure that the new gene had
been inserted and the embryo had been genetically modified,
scientists would ideally need to grow the embryo and carry out
further tests.
The Cornell team did not have permission to allow the embryo to
progress, however.
Scientists argue that the embryos could be used to study how diseases
develop. They also say GM embryos could be more efficient in
generating stem cells.
However, Dr David King, director of Human Genetics Alert,
warned: "This is the first step on the road that will lead to the
nightmare of designer babies and a new eugenics. The HFEA is right to
say that the creation and legalisation of GM embryos raises `large
ethical and public interest issues' but neglects to mention that
these have not been debated at all."
He added: "I have been speaking to MPs all week and no one knows that
the government is legalising GM embryos. The public has had enough of
scientists sneaking these things through and then presenting us with
a fait accompli."
http://www.timesonl
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
____________________________________________
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___
