5 January 2007

In response to media reports that the government may seek to ban research which involves the fusion of human DNA with animal eggs to create "cybrids" - very early stage embryos as a source of stem cells for research - Dr Sophie Petit-Zeman, Director of Public Dialogue at the Association of Medical Research Charities, issued the following statement:

"We will find out next week whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will licence such research, which has the potential to offer vital insights into distressing conditions, from Alzheimer's to motor neurone disease. While last year's HFEA public consultation revealed some antipathy, it was principally concerned with a different issue, the regulation of fertility treatment. AMRC both encourages public debate about medical research and respects and acknowledges sensitive feelings surrounding this issue, but it is important to balance these against the medical benefits that might be lost if such work were outlawed. Just as with the use of animals in medical research, which has overwhelming public support, we need to ensure that well-regulated, carefully planned and high-quality work for patient benefit is encouraged, in a climate of public understanding. Researchers who are tasked with unravelling and treating devastating disease appear to see "cybrid" work as potentially beneficial. We must now work with them to help increase public knowledge of the reality of this, and what might be lost if it is not allowed to progress. Human embryos can currently be created and used for up to 14 days before being destroyed. It would seem illogical to object to the use of animal eggs as a "shell" for human DNA to create an embryo from which stem cells are then removed, rather than as a practical step enabling research to continue in light of the shortage of human eggs for stem-cell research."

Sophie Petit-Zeman can be reached for comment, on 07799 764475

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