UK gets go-ahead for hybrid embryo research

**Eight months after the debate started over whether hybrid embryo research should be allowed in the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has given researchers the thumbs up - but only on a case-by-case basis.** After a long public consultation, the HFEA has said that after examining all the evidence it could find no fundamental reason for it to prevent **cytoplasmic hybrid research**. However, due to the contentious nature of the research, tight regulation would be needed. "This is not a total green light for cytoplasmic hybrid research, but recognition that this area of research can, with caution and careful scrutiny, be permitted," said the HFEA in a statement. "Individual research teams should be able to undertake research projects involving the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid **embryos** if they can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of an HFEA licence committee, that their planned research project is both necessary and desirable… [as well as being] likely to lead to scientific or medical advancements." The consultation was called after Dr Stephen Minger, Kings College London and Dr Lyle Armstrong, Newcastle University, applied to the HFEA for licenses to carry out research that involved cloning **human genetic material** inside the shell of rabbit or cow egg... "For more information":[ http://www.biopharma-reporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=79551&m=1BPR906&c=kmlmnvriobdsjcf]

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