February 8, 2005

scientists react to news of human cloning license to study Motor Neurone Disease

Scientists and patients comment on the decision by the HFEA to grant a human therapeutic cloning license to Ian Wilmut and colleagues.

Professor Christopher Shaw, Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry (Joint applicant to the HFEA for the license), said:

“This is potentially a big step forward for MND research. We have spent twenty years looking for genes that cause MND and to-date we have come up with just one gene. We believe that the use of Cell Nuclear Replacement will greatly advance our understanding of why motor neurones degenerate in this disease, without having to first hunt down the gene defect.

“We are delighted with the HFEA decision. Now that the licence has been granted the next task is to raise enough money to carry out this research, which is easier said than done.”

Jimmy Johnstone, the former Celtic player who has motor neurone disease, said:

“I am delighted with this news – today’s decision will help hundreds of thousands of people around the world and the people who care for them. It’s about saving lives. Now I just hope that they can fast-track the research because time is the enemy for this illness.

“To those who oppose this research, I would just say this: If one of your loved ones had this terrible disease and you knew that using stem cells could lead to a cure – what would you do?”

Professor Peter Braude, Centre for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, King’s College, London, said:

“Motor neurone disease is a particularly devastating nerve disorder for which there is no cure. Models to study how these nerves go wrong, and what cures might be contemplated are particularly difficult. Unlike other genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease, for which stem cell lines have already been created from affected embryos following preimplantation genetic diagnosis, there is no other way of producing a motor neurone stem cell line other than using cloning techniques. Ian Wilmut has a substantial track record in these techniques and I wish him luck in this important endeavour.”

Professor Alison Murdoch, Chair of British Fertility Society and Head of Newcastle Centre for Life, who had a successful license application last year, said:

“I send my congratulations to Ian Wilmut and colleagues. The more people working on developing nuclear transfer, the faster we will find the answers.”