The Government has today released a draft bill on Human Tissues and Embryos. The draft bill takes a more favourable position on the creation of human and animal hybrid embryos for medical research and removes the immediate ban on such research proposed in the Government’s White Paper in 2006.

In a press statement, Dr Sophie Petit-Zeman – Head of External Relations at AMRC, said:

“The Draft Bill is a very definite step in the right direction, and reflects what scientists and patients have been calling for to enable advance in the understanding and alleviation of disease.

We would urge the HFEA to now licence research applications in this area, thus ensuring that progress for patient benefit is not further delayed while the Bill undergoes scrutiny and law is made.

There are complex ethical debates to be had in medical research, and this is undoubtedly one of them. However, the letter that we and the Genetic Interest Group sent to Tony Blair last month, co-signed by 223 charities and patient groups illustrated that, when faced with the reality of illness, people are overwhelmingly supportive of allowing carefully regulated hybrid and chimera embryo research. We are delighted that the Draft Bill reflects this view.”

Contact: Dr Sophie Petit-Zeman – 07799 764475