Post by Shadow on Sept 11, 2005 10:39:04 GMT -5
Scientists win right to create human embryo with three genetic parents
Times Online
By Mark Henderson
Critics claim that watchdog has ignored public opinion to approve experiment for which it changed its own rules
BRITISH scientists have been given permission to create human embryos that will have three genetic parents.
The fertility watchdog cleared a team at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday to conduct an experiment to prevent genetic disease by merging single-cell embryos with donated eggs.
The decision to approve the procedure on appeal, after two previous applications were rejected, is controversial because it could eventually lead to the birth of children who carry genes from two mothers and a father.
It also opens the possibility of “germ-line” genetic engineering, because any children born would carry added genes that would be passed to successive generations.
At present, gene therapy to alter defective DNA is permitted only when such changes would not be passed on.
Times Online
By Mark Henderson
Critics claim that watchdog has ignored public opinion to approve experiment for which it changed its own rules
BRITISH scientists have been given permission to create human embryos that will have three genetic parents.
The fertility watchdog cleared a team at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday to conduct an experiment to prevent genetic disease by merging single-cell embryos with donated eggs.
The decision to approve the procedure on appeal, after two previous applications were rejected, is controversial because it could eventually lead to the birth of children who carry genes from two mothers and a father.
It also opens the possibility of “germ-line” genetic engineering, because any children born would carry added genes that would be passed to successive generations.
At present, gene therapy to alter defective DNA is permitted only when such changes would not be passed on.