Hi All -- I received the following from a newsletter I receive, and thought 
you might like to read it, too...
Bunny

The future of embryonic stem cell research in the UK is secure (for the pre
sent)
 
On Wednesday 27th February the House of Lords Select Committee on Stem Cell 
Research published its long awaited report on the issues arising from the new 
Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. 
These regulations allow the use of human embryonic stem cells and facilitate 
cell nuclear replacement (therapeutic cloning) in the development of 
therapies for serious diseases such as Parkinson’s but only when there are no 
alternative means and subject to strict regulation by the Human Fertilisation 
and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
The Committee of 12, chaired by the Bishop of Oxford, was brought together on 
March 7th 2001 to fulfil the conditions set by Lord Walton’s amendment, 
introduced during the Lords final Embryology debate on 22nd Jan, specifically 
to provide an alternative to a wrecking measure proposed by Lord Alton for 
the All Party Parliamentary Pro-life group.  The remit of the Select 
Committee was basically to determine whether or not extending the uses to 
which human embryos could be put in research is really justified. The enquiry 
was wide-ranging and thorough.  12 public meetings were held by the Select 
Committee during which evidence was heard from 42 people representing 17 
organisations ranging from patient’s bodies such as the Parkinson’s Disease 
Society and various scientific, religious and pro-life organisations.  There 
was a public call for written evidence to which 52 organisations (including 
PDS and SPRING) and 57 individuals responded as well as a month-long Internet 
debate administered by the Hansard Society.  Expert scientific and ethical 
views were also sought at home and abroad. The Report has been met with 
approval and relief in the scientific and patient communities since it gives 
the go ahead for ES cell and CNR research under the new HFE Regulations 2001 
as they stand. The principal recommendations are given below.  As soon as the 
Select Committee Report was in the public domain, the HFEA immediately 
announced the issue of the first 2 licenses under the new Regulations.  There 
was widespread media coverage but despite reports that the Wellcome Trust are 
about to invest millions of pounds in embryonic stem cell research and that 
the Medical Research Council is trying to lure top stem cell scientist from 
abroad (Guardian, 28th Feb, 2002) there is a freeze on all MRC funding until 
July.  Hopefully funds from other sources will soon be forthcoming and our 
dedicated scientists can simply get on with the job. The Pro Life Alliance 
however has already begun moves to challenge the legality of the HFEA 
licenses issued on 27th and are likely to use every means open to them to 
halt this vital research. We will have to keep a close watch on 
proceedings.SPRING would like to express grateful thanks to everyone who 
contributed in any way to the outcome of this long campaign.  Thank you all.  

For a more detailed account go to <A HREF="http://www.spring.parkinsons.org.uk/">http://www.spring.parkinsons.org.uk</A> see 
SPRING Times 23 or contact <A HREF="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>.  
 
The Select Committee Report can be viewed at  <A HREF="http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld200102/ldselect/ldstem/83/8301.htm">
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld20010
2/ldselect/ldstem/83/8301.htm</A>
 
The Report on Stem Cell Research: summary of principal recommendations
 The Committee acknowledged the enormous therapeutic potential of stem cells. 
Whilst encouraging the funding of work on adult stem cells, they concluded 
that there is a strong scientific and medical case for basic ES cell research 
if we are to exploit the full therapeutic potential of both embryonic and 
adult stem cells. Since neither is likely to meet all therapeutic needs, both 
avenues of research should be pursued for maximum benefit.
The status of the early human embryo was carefully considered. The Committee 
recommended that the use of surplus IVF embryos in research should be 
permitted within the 14 day limit, though they should only be created for 
this purpose where there is exceptional need and where there are no other 
means available. 
The Committee concluded that there is a powerful case for CNR research 
(subject to strict regulation by the HFEA) particularly in the development of 
other cell-based therapies.  The 14-day limit would still apply and embryos 
should only be created via CNR where there are no other means and where there 
is an exceptional need, as above. 
The total ban on human reproductive cloning recently approved in the UK 
Parliament (Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001) was endorsed without 
reservation and UK involvement in the formulation of an international ban 
encouraged. 
There should be a further review of scientific developments at the end of the 
decade to assess whether the use of human embryos in research should be 
continued. This would focus on progress in adult stem cell research and the 
development of stem cell banks.Further recommendations were mainly concerned 
with the functioning of the HFEA and the proper management of ES cell and CNR 
research.  Suggestions that the DOH draw up guidelines to define ‘serious 
disease’ may cause some patient’s groups concern, otherwise the prevention 
of commercialisation especially in terms of payment for gamete donation, the 
overseeing of any stem cell bank and future clinical trials by designated 
committees and ensuring donor consent with regard to the immortal nature of 
stem cell lines, would all seem perfectly reasonable. Looking to the future 
the Committee recommended that when new legislation is introduced, proper 
provision should be made for basic research into cell-based therapies.  For 
example the mixing of animal eggs with human cells has not yet been addressed 
in law and while the implantation of an embryo created via CNR using an 
animal egg and human somatic cell nucleus into a woman could never be 
contemplated, the Committee suggested that embryonic stem cells arising might 
be useful in research and raise fewer ethical concerns since there is no 
human gamete involved.  Hopefully therapies using such stem cells are not 
envisaged because the mitochondrial DNA from the animal egg would be retained 
and this would be unacceptable to many, particularly in a neurological 
context..Maureen McHugh 
SPRING 

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