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Science 19 January 2007:
Vol. 315. no. 5810, p. 317
DOI: 10.1126/science.315.5810.317c
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ScienceScope

The U.K.'s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will hold a public "consultation" before deciding whether to license scientists who want to create research embryos by putting human DNA into cow eggs.

Several scientists have applied to use the procedure to generate new lines of human embryonic stem cells, but in December, a government report advised banning such research, at least until new regulatory legislation is passed (Science, 12 January, p. 173). Stem cell scientists were worried that HFEA would decide against the applications. But HFEA chief Angela McNab says "we have a duty to judge this work under the current law." She says the applications will be taken up in the fall.

"The very encouraging thing is the HFEA didn't kowtow to government pressure," says Stephen Minger of King's College London, one of those who has applied to do the cow-egg research. But "we're obviously disappointed" at the delay, he adds.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)