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Part-human embryos are a chilling step closer as watchdog gives go-ahead for hybrid 'chimeras' 04.09.07

The creation of part-human, part-animal embryos looks set to be approved by the fertility regulator tomorrow.

These "hybrid" embryos would be used for research into incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The news follows a surprise Government decision not to ban the controversial research.

A shortage of human eggs has led two groups of scientists to appeal to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for permission to make hybrid embryos from human skin cells and animal eggs.

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Cows' eggs are most likely to be used, because they are in plentiful supply.

Scientists say the creation of hybrid embryos has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of debilitating diseases which affect millions.

But opponents believe mixing of human and animal genetic material defies nature.

They are also unhappy about the destruction of embryos that such research inevitably entails.

The scientists' hopes to use hybrids were initially jeopardised by a proposal to outlaw such research under a shake-up of outdated fertility laws.

But in May, Labour ministers dramatically changed their minds.

However, only scientists who are researching serious diseases - and are licensed by the HFEA - will be allowed to carry out such procedures.

While the fertility watchdog has yet to rule on the issue, its ethical and scientific experts are in favour of the creation of hybrids.

Cows' eggs are likely to be used to make hybrid embryos

It will tomorrow rule on the creation of hybrids in principle.

But the final go-ahead on the applications submitted by scientists at King's College, London, and the North East Stem Cell Institute in Newcastle will rest with the authority's licence committee which is due to meet in November.

Although the embryos are sometimes called chimeras after the monstrous creatures in Greek mythology, they are strictly speaking hybrids rather than chimeras.

Rather than containing two types of cells - one from each "parent" creature - as chimeras do, hybrids have only one type of cell, in which the genetic information from the different species mixes.

This summer the HFEA's Scientific and Clinical Advances Group concluded that the creation of hybrids was justified by the lack of human eggs available to researchers.

However, the results of a public consultation were mixed.

Some 61 per cent backing the creation of hybrid embryos if it would help research into diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

At the same time, almost half of those polled felt the research was "meddling with nature".

Scientists last night made a final plea for their research to be given the go-ahead.

Dr Stephen Minger, of King's College, acknowledged there was a "yuck factor" but said the work is an essential part of the quest to treat devastating illnesses.

He said: "I can understand why people are freaked out by this, but the embryos will never be implanted and the cells won't be used for therapy - this is about studying the development of diseases in a Petri dish."

But Dr David King, who works for research watchdog Human Genetics Alert, said: "We are not a pro-life group but creating embryos purely for the purpose of research turns the embryo into nothing more than a research tool and a source of raw biological material for experiments."

The decision makers

THE Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is an independent regulator which oversees fertility treatment and embryo research. Its members include ethicists, churchmen and lay people, as well as fertility doctors and scientists. Here are some of the key figures:

˜SHIRLEY HARRISON, the chairman, has a background in marketing and public relations. She is a magistrate and member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Society of Authors.

˜SHARMILA NEBHRAJANI, the deputy chairman, has been a lay member of the HFEA since 1988. She has experience in management consultancy and is the finance director of the BBC's New Media and Technology arm.

˜ HOSSAM ABDALLA is an experienced gynaecological surgeon and IVF expert, as well as director of the private Lister Fertility Clinic in West London and a former member of the British Fertility Society's executive committee.

˜ DAVID ARCHARD is a professor of philosophy and public policy at Lancaster University. He has written on the philosophy of sexual consent, children, family and the state.

˜ PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER BARRATT is the newly appointed chair of reproductive medicine at Dundee University and the developer of Fertell,

˜LORD HARRIES OF PENTREGARTH was Bishop of Oxford from 1987 to 2006 and chaired the House of Lords select committee on stem cell research. He is also an honorary fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

˜CLARE BROWN adopted two children in 1985 after unsuccessful fertility treatment. She is also the chief executive of the support group Infertility Network UK.

˜ ANNA CARRAGHER recently retired as controller of BBC Northern Ireland and has worked on news programmes including Today and Newsnight.

˜ SALLY CHESHIRE is a chartered management accountant and a director of Deloitte & Touche. She is also a non-executive director of the North West Strategic Health Authority.

˜ REBEKAH DUNDAS is the manager of a grants team at the Big Lottery Fund and a member of Infertility Network UK. Her son Matthew was born last year following IVF treatment.

˜ RUTH FASHT OBE is a social worker and psychotherapist with a background in adoption. She led the setting up of the Adoption Register for England and Wales.

There are also another eight members, mostly doctors and professors who specialise in infertility issues, as well as solicitor Walter Merricks.

f.macrae@dailymail.co.uk