Embryology Bill: The key points

Amanda — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:10:39 +0000

MPs have been debating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill this week.
It was drafted because of a feeling the existing law was increasingly out-dated and irrelevant to scientific advances made in the last 20 years.
But several of the key issues are causing bitter divisions of opinion.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was forced to offer a free vote on three controversial areas in order to avert a rebellion by Catholic MPs.
Here, we set out the debate on those three points, plus a bid to reduce the abortion time limit - also controversial - which is set to be discussed as an amendment to the Bill.
HYBRID EMBRYOS
A hybrid embryo is a mixture of animal and human tissue.
Scientists in the UK are already working on one specific type of hybrid.
These are created by transferring DNA from human cells, such as skin cells, into animal eggs that have had virtually all their genetic information removed.
The resulting embryos are more than 99% human, with a small animal component of around 0.1%.
They are then grown in the lab for a few days before being harvested for stem cells, immature cells that can become many types of tissue.
Two licences to create this type of hybrid embryo have already been granted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and a team in Newcastle has successfully produced them.
The Bill would also allow for the creation of other types of hybrid embryos:
• True chimeras: The addition of one cell from an animal embryo to a human embryo. The subsequent embryo is made up of cells that are either wholly human or wholly animal.
• Transgenic human embryos: A human embryo which has been genetically modified to contain a small amount of animal DNA, for instance one or more animal genes. Each cell would have the usual complement of around 20 000 human genes, and a couple of animal ones.
• True hybrid: Fertilisation of a human egg by an animal sperm or vice versa. The resulting embryo would be approx 50% human and 50% animal.
No hybrid embryo would be allowed to develop beyond 14 days. It is already illegal to implant human-animal embryos in the womb or bring them to term.
What are the arguments in favour of this process?
Scientists who advocate the work say the cells would allow them to study how genetic defects, which cause diseases such as Parkinson’s, develop.
They also say that stem cells’ ability to develop into different tissues mean it could be possible to use cells formed in this process to cure diseases.
Using animal eggs would enable scientists to overcome the problem that human eggs are in short supply.
What are the arguments against?
Opponents say it is tampering with nature, and is unethical.
FATHER FIGURE
Existing legislation requires IVF clinics to consider the “welfare” of any child created. That currently means considering the need for a father.
The new Bill says this should no longer be the case.
What is the argument in favour?
It is said that some lesbian couples and single women have not been allowed to have treatment, and those in favour of the change - including government ministers - say removing the need for that consideration means that would not occur.
After criticism, the wording in the Bill has changed from considering the need for a father to needing “supportive parenting”.
What is the opposition to this proposal?
Opponents say the phrase “supportive parenting” denigrates the role of fathers in a child’s life
They say retaining the need to consider the need for a father would reinforce the importance of role, but not prevent single women or lesbians from having treatment.
Tory peer John Patten has said recently that having a father brings a range of practical and spiritual benefits to a child, including better health, education and future earning power and less chance of criminal behaviour.
He said a having a father figure also provides boys with a positive role model to look up to.
SAVIOUR SIBLINGS
Saviour siblings are babies born because they are a tissue match for a sick older brother or sister with a genetic condition.
Cells from the baby’s bone marrow or umbilical cord are used to treat the older child.
It is only considered where conventional treatment, such as using an existing family member as a donor, has been ruled out.
Embryos are created using the mother’s eggs and the father’s sperm. They are then allowed to develop to the eight-cell stage, which takes two to three days.
One or two cells are removed from each embryo, and tested to see if they have the genetic flaw responsible for the existing child’s illness.
An embryo which is a tissue match, but unaffected by the gene flaw, is then implanted in the mother’s womb for it to develop.
This type of tissue typing has already been permitted for six families, although it is not explicitly covered by the 1990 Act.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), the technique used to see if an embryo is a match, is legally permitted now if a genetic condition is present in a family.
It can be used to check an embryo does not carry any one of 50 different conditions including cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
What is the argument in favour?
That children who have no other hope of treatment for serious medical conditions could be helped, at no detriment to their new brother or sister.
What is the argument against?
There are fears children will be created as saviour siblings alone, and not because they are a wanted child.
There are also concerns that PGD will be used to select male or female embryos, even when there is no risk of a genetic condition. Some sex selection is already permitted, if the condition concerned is something such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which primarily affects boys.

Cells4Life announces the UKs first NAP approved training course for umbilical cord blood procurement

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:17:28 +0000

Cells4Life, the private umbilical cord blood storage company based in Brighton, Sussex, has today announced the launch of its umbilical cord blood collection training course, available for healthcare professionals.

The course has been developed in conjunction with the National Association of Phlebotomists and will be running throughout the year at various locations within the UK.

The course has been designed specifically to train healthcare professionals in the collection of umbilical cord blood using the Cells4Life collection protocol.

Cells4Life was the first company to offer a private phlebotomy service and has always maintained that cord blood collection should only be performed by a trained professional. The Cells4Life collection process was developed in conjunction with RCOG guidelines and leading consultant obstetrician and gynaecologists. It recommends that the cord blood is collected after the 3rd stage of labour, following the cord being clamped and the placenta being delivered.

“At Cells4Life we feel that collecting the blood at this stage interferes less with the birthing process and this is a guideline adopted by the RCOG in their Position Paper 2. We are delighted by today’s announcement from the Human Tissue Authority that only trained professionals should perform this procedure - something we have always recommended. Cells4Life is once again setting the industry standards” said Rebecca Rutter, Operations Manager at Cells4Life.

The Scottish Baby Show 2008, in association with Boots

Amanda — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:00:17 +0000

Cells4Life is delighted to announce its sponsorship of The Scottish Baby Show 2008, in association with Boots.
The event takes place from 25-27 April 2008, at The SECC, Glasgow.
Cells4Life’s expert team will be available on stand number 413B to answer any questions you may have on our service. There will be exclusive show offers available, so please come and visit us to find out more.
For further information about the show, please click here.

Introduction to Cells4Life

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:59:45 +0000

Explains the history behind Cells4life and how the company was started.

Stem Cells and other Family Members

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:58:13 +0000

Explains how stem cells could be used to help treat and family members.

The Uses of Stem Cells

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:57:05 +0000

Explains how stem cells can be used.

Stem Cell Collection and Storage

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:55:25 +0000

Explains how stem cells are collected and stored at Cells4Life.

Stem Cells - A Background

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:54:06 +0000

Stem Cells - an explanation of what they are and how they can be used.

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