Embryonic Cell Research Ban Removed in United Kingdom

The UK Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA; London, UK) has removed a ban recently placed on an area of embryonic cell research that has been going on for more than 100 years.

"When the original proposed new Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill was found to include a provision banning the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, there was an outcry. What was once a relatively unknown area of embryonic cell research was thrust into the spotlight. The creation of such hybrid embryos had been ongoing for over a century in academic research,” remarked Gareth Morgan, a life sciences lawyer with Taylor Wessing LLP (London, UK).

In September 2007, the HFEA announced it would grant licenses for research involving the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, and in January 2008 it granted two such licenses. "The HFEA is now approving research projects that involve the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos after subjecting the applications to peer review and rigorously querying the necessity of the use of cytoplasmic hybrids within the research,” said Mr. Morgan. He noted, however, that the proposed HFE Bill still contains provisions that could have serious implications for researchers, particularly with respect to obtaining tissue samples.


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UK Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority