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20/05/2005
British scientists clone first human embryo
A team of British scientists have announced that they have cloned the first human embryo in the UK.
The team at Newcastle University used eggs from eleven women to create the cloned embryos.
Three embryos were grown in the team’s laboratory and lived for three days, although one survived for five days.
The team, led by Dr Miodrag Stojkovic, said they created a cluster of human cells – known as a blastocyst – by inserting DNA into an unfertilised human egg and inducing it to multiply. This is the first step towards producing embryonic stem cells – master cells that can form any tissue in the body and which could be used to repair damaged parts of the human body, the researchers said.
The researchers believe that the technology could be used to produce treatments for a range of conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal injuries.
The announcement comes as a team of South Korean scientists announced that they have produced 11 batches of stem cells containing the genes of patients.
Cloning is a controversial topic. Earlier this year, the United Nations voted in favour of a declaration urging all members’ states to outlaw cloning.
Pro-life charity, LIFE, has condemned the research. A LIFE spokesperson said: “What has happened should make all decent people ashamed of being British. Of course, we are regaled with all the usual promises about curing terrible diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. We all want to find cures for them. But this end does not justify the means. Human beings should not be manufactured to supply “spare parts” for others.”
(KMcA/SP)
The team at Newcastle University used eggs from eleven women to create the cloned embryos.
Three embryos were grown in the team’s laboratory and lived for three days, although one survived for five days.
The team, led by Dr Miodrag Stojkovic, said they created a cluster of human cells – known as a blastocyst – by inserting DNA into an unfertilised human egg and inducing it to multiply. This is the first step towards producing embryonic stem cells – master cells that can form any tissue in the body and which could be used to repair damaged parts of the human body, the researchers said.
The researchers believe that the technology could be used to produce treatments for a range of conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal injuries.
The announcement comes as a team of South Korean scientists announced that they have produced 11 batches of stem cells containing the genes of patients.
Cloning is a controversial topic. Earlier this year, the United Nations voted in favour of a declaration urging all members’ states to outlaw cloning.
Pro-life charity, LIFE, has condemned the research. A LIFE spokesperson said: “What has happened should make all decent people ashamed of being British. Of course, we are regaled with all the usual promises about curing terrible diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. We all want to find cures for them. But this end does not justify the means. Human beings should not be manufactured to supply “spare parts” for others.”
(KMcA/SP)
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12 August 2004
Groundbreaking research into human cloning gets go-ahead
The first licence to create human embryonic stem cells for cloning has been awarded to a research team based in Newcastle. Under the terms of the one-year licence granted to Newcastle Centre for Life, stem cells created using a technique called therapeutic cloning can only be used for research purposes only.
Groundbreaking research into human cloning gets go-ahead
The first licence to create human embryonic stem cells for cloning has been awarded to a research team based in Newcastle. Under the terms of the one-year licence granted to Newcastle Centre for Life, stem cells created using a technique called therapeutic cloning can only be used for research purposes only.
19 October 2011
Ruling Could Stop Euro Stem Cell Research – Scientists
Stem-cell scientists in Europe are reeling from a ruling on Wednesday banning patents on stem cells obtained through the destruction of human embryos. The decision by the European Court of Justice means that no European patents will be given for research based on stem cells extracted from anything capable of developing into a human being.
Ruling Could Stop Euro Stem Cell Research – Scientists
Stem-cell scientists in Europe are reeling from a ruling on Wednesday banning patents on stem cells obtained through the destruction of human embryos. The decision by the European Court of Justice means that no European patents will be given for research based on stem cells extracted from anything capable of developing into a human being.
02 April 2007
Heart valve grown from stem cells in lab
British scientists have reportedly grown part of a human heart from stem cells for the first time. Speaking to the 'Guardian' newspaper, heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub said that his team at Imperial College in London, had grown tissue which worked in the same way as human heart valves.
Heart valve grown from stem cells in lab
British scientists have reportedly grown part of a human heart from stem cells for the first time. Speaking to the 'Guardian' newspaper, heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub said that his team at Imperial College in London, had grown tissue which worked in the same way as human heart valves.
16 September 2010
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
19 September 2003
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
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