I thought they did this a few years ago on some women
.....just kidding
Embryos created with both human and cow cells
Such experiments will not lead to hybrid human-animal babies, researchers say
Reuters
Thursday, April 03, 2008
WASHINGTON -- British researchers say they have created embryos and stem cells using human cells and the egg cells of cows, but said such experiments would not lead to hybrid human-animal babies, or even to direct medical therapies.
Dr. Lyle Armstrong of Newcastle University presented preliminary data on his work to Israel's parliament last week. It has not been reviewed by other experts in the field, Newcastle University said in a statement released on Tuesday.
They said they had hollowed out the egg cells of cattle, inserted human DNA to create a growing embryo, and then taken it apart to get embryonic stem cells.
Other experts agreed such work would only be an interim step aimed at understanding the biology of embryonic stem cells -- the body's ultimate master cells, which can give rise to all of the other cells and tissues.
"If the team can produce cells which will survive in culture it will open the door to a better understanding of disease processes without having to use precious human eggs. Cells grown using animal eggs cannot be used to treat patients on safety grounds, but they will help bring nearer the day when new stem cell therapies are available," John Burn, head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University, said in a statement.
Scientists hope to use stem cells to create a new field of so-called regenerative medicine. Doctors hope for eventual treatments for spinal cord injuries and diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Opponents of human embryonic stem cell research object to the destruction of embryos and say even the tiniest embryo must be treated with dignity.
"This is one of the most controversial ethical issues in all of cloning and stem cell research," Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, said.
Caplan noted many people may be disgusted or frightened by such work. "In my view there is no risk of making monsters this way. The biology will not work. Nor is that the intent of any of these experiments anyway, so I don't think that fear is justified," he said.
"I come down on the side that says if you can make great gains by making embryo hybrids in preventing premature death and understanding disease, then a limited amount of such research is morally justifiable," Caplan said.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
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