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The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has decided that applications to create hybrid human-animal embryos (see previous news story) as part of stem cell research “would potentially fall with the remit of the HFEA to regulate and licence” and would not be prohibited by current legislation (see press release). However, because the issues associated with hybrid and chimera research differ from those relating to other forms of human embryo research, the HFEA intends to hold a formal consultation on the topic before the applications may be passed to the licensing committee for consideration.

Chief Executive Angela McNab said that the HFEA had decided “that there needs to be a full and proper public debate and consultation as to whether, in principle, licences for these sorts of research could be granted…From the evidence considered so far this issue is far from black and white. There is not clear agreement within the scientific community about the need for and benefits of this science”. She added that it would be wrong to make a judgement on such complex and controversial matters without first considering the evidence.

Hybrid embryo research formed part of the wider public consultation performed by the Department of Health as part of the updates to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act 1990 (see previous news story), but the HFEA feels that a new consultation relating specifically to such work is required. The consultation should be completed by autumn 2007. Scientists behind the applications for licenses to create hybrid human-animal embryos have expressed approval for the opportunity to promote “the merit of this research which we feel will provide valuable new research tools for developing new therapies for devastating neurological disorders" (see BBC news report).