UK Gene Scientists to End Pig Transplant Research
LONDON, August 13, 2000 (Reuters) - The British scientists who cloned
Dolly the sheep will stop research into genetically modifying pigs for
human organ transplants amid fears they could spread new killer
diseases, the Scotland on Sunday newspaper said.
The paper said U.S.-based Geron Bio-Med Ltd, which finances the research
at the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, has halted funding for the
experiments, citing concerns over the possible health risk of animal to
human transplants -- known as xenotransplantation.
``We are in the process of reducing pig work,'' said Professor Ian
Wilmut, who led the team that cloned Dolly the sheep -- the world's
first mammal cloned from an adult cell.
``It has not finished but it will be before long,'' he told the paper.
The scientists have worked on the GM pig project for two years to try to
make human recipients less likely to reject pig organs after a
transplant operation.
News that the pig research will end follows media reports that the
British government is likely to allow scientists limited permission to
clone human embryo cells for medical research.
Cloning could be used to grow new tissue and even replacement organs for
people who need transplants or are suffering from degenerative diseases.
But scientific and religious establishments are divided over the ethical
questions raised.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20000813/sc/britain_cloning_dc_1.html
Copyright © 2000 Reuters Limited.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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