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British researchers to proceed with "hybrid" embryos?

London, Sep. 4, 2007 (CWNews.com) - A British regulatory body will apparently give approval to the creation of "hybrid" embryos including human and animal material.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has concluded a 3-month study of the issue, issuing a report that says most members of the public are "at ease" with the prospects of research that would combine human genetic material and animal eggs.

In May, under pressure from research scientists, the British government backed away from a preliminary plan to outlaw the creation of hybrid embryos. Calling for "an evaluation of a number of different viewpoints," health minister Caroline Flint sought more opinions on the question.

In June, the Royal Academy of Medical Sciences gave its backing to the hybrid-embryo research, provided that scientists guarantee that any embryos created by this technique are harvested for their stem-cells, so that no such embryos can survive until birth.
During the May 2007 debate on the research, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, pointed out that the policies of the European Union forbid the creation of any human-animal genetic material.