Hybrid embryo decision due

Whether or not scientists should be allowed to mix human and animal DNA for research is expected to be decided today by the government’s fertility regulator.

Researchers want to create hybrid embryos using animal eggs and human DNA for studies into debilitating diseases including Parkinson’s. As with other stem cell research, embryos would be destroyed after two weeks.

Two applications have been made by research teams in the UK to create the embryos; they argue that the shortage of human eggs for research makes new alternatives necessary.

Earlier this year the government gave its backing to “inter-species entities” in the draft human tissue and embryos bill.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is expected to rule in favour of the research, despite opposition from groups who believe it to be morally wrong.

HFEA chair Shirley Harrison said the consultation was “to understand why people feel worried or enthusiastic about this research in order to help us make a judgement about the best way to proceed”.

Scientists backing hybrid embryos have welcomed the positive response from some people during the consultation.

Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, said: “Human-animal embryos allow some very promising experiments to be done.

“Specifically, the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos – using the plentiful supplies of animal eggs from abattoirs – reduces the need for human eggs in stem cell research – which is currently limiting progress in this rapidly developing field.”