News & Events
Human embryo cloned in UK for the first time
20 May 2005
A team of scientists at the Centre for Life in Newcastle have successfully cloned a human embryo – the first time this has happened in the UK . This is a breakthrough in the team's research into diabetes, which was licensed last year by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Only two licences for stem cell research have been granted by the HFEA. The second was granted in February 2005 to Professor Ian Wilmut from the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, and Professor Chris Shaw, of King's College, London , allowing them to use cloning technology to carry out stem cell research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Belinda Cupid, Research Co-ordinator at the MND Association, said: “This is a huge step forward in an innovative field of research that has he potential to revolutionise the future treatment of Motor Neurone Disease.
“While the Newcastle team is investigating causes and treatments for diabetes, the principle of cloning embryos in order to track the development of a disease in the laboratory applies equally to MND research, and so we are very excited by this development.
“All along, the Association has recognised that the area of embryonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning raises moral, ethical and religious issues, and it's important that these are considered and debated.
“However, we support embryonic stem cell research that is legal, has a sound scientific rationale, and the potential to bring us closer to treatments and ultimately a cure for MND.”
Only two licences for stem cell research have been granted by the HFEA. The second was granted in February 2005 to Professor Ian Wilmut from the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, and Professor Chris Shaw, of King's College, London , allowing them to use cloning technology to carry out stem cell research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Belinda Cupid, Research Co-ordinator at the MND Association, said: “This is a huge step forward in an innovative field of research that has he potential to revolutionise the future treatment of Motor Neurone Disease.
“While the Newcastle team is investigating causes and treatments for diabetes, the principle of cloning embryos in order to track the development of a disease in the laboratory applies equally to MND research, and so we are very excited by this development.
“All along, the Association has recognised that the area of embryonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning raises moral, ethical and religious issues, and it's important that these are considered and debated.
“However, we support embryonic stem cell research that is legal, has a sound scientific rationale, and the potential to bring us closer to treatments and ultimately a cure for MND.”
