Letter

Therapeutic cloning

The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is considering a research license application to begin ‘therapeutic cloning’. With one exception, this is the first publicised research project on ‘therapeutic cloning’, and is the first opportunity to democratically influence cloning research. Human Genetics Alert will be pressing the HFEA hard to reject this application, and we appeal for your support.

The application has been lodged by Professor Alison Murdoch, who runs the IVF clinic at the Centre for Life (a biomedical science centre) in Newcastle, UK. Prof Murdoch’s proposal appears to be straightforward ‘therapeutic cloning’. A brief, and not very informative summary can be found on the HFEA website: www.hfea.gov.uk/Research/Researchapplications. It is possible that the HFEA will take a decision on licensing as soon as June 16.

Please write to the HFEA indicating your views on this project. You should write to both the HFEA Chair, Suzi Leather, as well as to the embryo research manager, Chris O’Toole. Their e-mail addresses are suzi.leather@hfea.gov.uk, chris.otoole@hfea.gov.uk. Please also copy your response to me, so we can get an idea of the level of response. Some of the points which might be made about this are:

1. It is possible to oppose research cloning, without necessarily taking a ‘pro-life’ view on the status of the embryo. It is possible to oppose research cloning without necessarily opposing embryonic stem cell research.

2. Research cloning is scientific irresponsibility, since it will lead to the perfection of techniques for cloning human embryos which could easily be applied by those who lack the expertise to perfect the technology. Publication of Prof Murdoch’s results will hand a gift to baby cloners who are not subject to UK law.

3. The proposed research is unethical, for two reasons. First, it involves the creation of embryos purely for research, which is not permitted even in the vast majority of countries that allow embryo research.Second, in order to create cloned embryos, it will be necessary to obtain large numbers of eggs. Newspaper reports indicates that these will come from women who attend Prof Murdoch’s clinic. However, this implies that eggs which may be needed for the women’s own IVF treatment will be diverted for research. Even if they are not needed for the patient’s IVF treatment, there is a great shortage of eggs for donation in the UK and many infertile women have to wait for several years to obtain one.

4. ‘Therapeutic cloning’ is a medical dead end, although there may be some potential in embryonic stem cell research.

Please ask the HFEA to adopt a transparent approach in dealing with this research. Thank you for your support.