Watchdog won't rule out creating human-animal embryos

Plans to create controversial human-animal embryos moved a step closer today. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority refused to outlaw the research, and said it is to hold a full public inquiry into the issue before deciding whether to approve it.

Two teams of British researchers have applied for licences to create the embryos by taking genetic material from human cells and putting it into host eggs from an animal such as a cow or rabbit.

The researchers hope to avoid the ethical problems of tampering with human life by using these "chimera" embryos to grow stem cells to study in the search for cures for incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The embryos would be more than 99 per cent human as most of the animal DNA will be removed from the egg.

Dr Stephen Minger of King's College London, one of the applicants for a license, said today that despite the delay he was still hopeful it would be granted.

"Although we are disappointed that the HFEA has not recommended that our research applications go to the licensing committee, we are happy with their decision to consult both public and scientific opinion regarding SCNT (cloning) of human cells using non-human eggs.

"One good outcome is that the HFEA has not buckled under pressure from the Government on this issue."

Government officials were were thought to be worried about a public backlash if the licenses were granted.

Angela McNab, chief executive of the HFEA, said: "After careful consideration the Authority ruled that, under current legislation these sorts of research would potentially fall with the remit of the HFEA to regulate and licence and would not be prohibited by the legislation."

She added: "When the consultation has been completed in the autumn, we will then be in a position to consider individual applications."