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Scientists inject DNA from extinct tiger into mouse embryo
The possibility of bringing an extinct animal back to life sounds more like science fiction but could it happen?
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UK: MPs back hybrid embryo research
Legislation to widen the scope of medical research has cleared its first hurdle as a bid to ban hybrid human animal embryos was defeated by MPs.
Tory MP Edward Leigh's attempt to outlaw the creation of hybrid embryos was voted down by 336 votes to 176.
He argued the technique was "a step too far". Catholic cabinet ministers Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy voted for a ban. PM Gordon Brown opposed it.
MPs are set to vote on whether to allow "saviour siblings" at about 2230 BST.
These are the first in a series of critical votes on emotive issues in committee stage debate of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, aimed at updating laws from 1990 in line with scientific advances. Legislation to widen the scope of medical research has cleared its first hurdle as a bid to ban hybrid human animal embryos was defeat... more -
Embryo voting allowed by Brown
Gordon Brown today revealed Labour MPs will be allowed a free vote on some controversial aspects of new embryology laws, even though he had been under increasing pressure from
church leaders opposed to the proposals to allow MPs to follow their consciences.
Mr. Brown also insisted that MPs would be expected to support the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill as a whole and not block its progress:
"The Bill itself cannot be subject to a free vote because there are so many other changes we believe are necessary as part of building up the research framework in our country."
He also claimed the government planned to ban so-called "designer babies," as well as beginning "to ban in a large number of instances, experimentation with animal embryos".
What's your thoughts on MPs being allowed a free vote on the proposals? Gordon Brown today revealed Labour MPs will be allowed a free vote on some controversial aspects of new embryology laws, even though h... more -
One Embryo - Three Parents!
Researchers can theoretically prevent the passing of mitochondrial disease in a child by extracting nuclear DNA from a mother with mitochondrial disease and a father, then injecting that DNA into a donor egg from a woman without mitochondrial disease.
The resulting embryo, in effect, had three parents but was disease-free. It inherited all the physical characteristics from Mom and Dad but received its healthy mitochondrial DNA from the woman providing the "donor egg."
Altering eggs is not a new idea but the groundbreaking development is the technique to actually prevent genetic disease. Researchers say the next step is to let these "three parent embryos" grow beyond a few days, to see if they can actually become healthy babies. Researchers can theoretically prevent the passing of mitochondrial disease in a child by extracting nuclear DNA from a mother with mit... more -
Many people could be helped
There are no guarantees in research, but we certainly know it's promising.
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Hooked on Embryonics
What are stem cells? What do stem cells do? Why cant our politicians in Washington D.C. figure this out? Is there anyone out there that can explain things and make the world a better place? There is one man who can get to the core of these kinds of issues and that man is Joe Hanson. In this Whats Wrong With pod Joe talks to the experts and hits the streets to find out what all the fuss is about. What are stem cells? What do stem cells do? Why cant our politicians in Washington D.C. figure this out? Is there anyone out there th... more
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British health authorities approve human-animal embryos
Err... I'm all for research, but... I think this might be weird. Definitely read the article, though: There's a bit of nuance here that is not quite captured by headline like "ANIMAL MUTANTS COMING SOON!" (which I actually saw on a blog today). Err... I'm all for research, but... I think this might be weird. Definitely read the article, though: There's a bit of nuanc... more
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Embryo Research
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Embryo Research
