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An Academy working group published a report on the scientific, ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of animals containing human genetic material in research.
Click here to read more about the report.
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said:
“The use of animals containing human material (ACHM) in biomedical research could potentially lead to therapies that improve or even save the lives of many patients worldwide. It is a complex area of research that requires open discussion between scientists and the public to ensure it keeps moving in the right direction – that is one that the general public remains comfortable with. The Royal Society is supportive of the recommendations made in this report, especially the call for a national expert body to advise on ACHM. Proper scrutiny and regulation of this developing field now will ensure that society benefits from its advances fully.”
Professor Douglas Kell, Chief Executive, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), said:
“BBSRC welcomes the report. Public trust in the regulation of research, alongside a culture of accountability, responsibility, and ethical practice in science, supports progress in important areas of research. We are very fortunate in the UK that the regulatory environment is permissive of high quality research and also pays due attention to the important ethical issues that surround the use of animals in research. Animals containing human materials are a vital research tool in certain areas of fundamental bioscience and it is important, as this report states, that regulation remains well ahead of scientific progress.”
David Pruce, Interim Chief Executive, Understanding Animal Research, said:
“The Academy’s report is an important insight into this innovative area of research, and associated ethical and regulatory challenges. It is particularly timely in light of the current Home Office consultation about the regulation of animal research. The UK’s animal research regulations need to be proportionate, effective, and consistent with others across Europe – to protect animal welfare while being sufficiently forward-looking to keep pace with scientific progress. The recommendations from the Academy should ensure sufficient expert oversight of future developments.
“This is a timely report which provides sound advice to Government on an area that requires careful oversight. It is important that the report’s recommendations are taken into account by the Home Office as it prepares to implement the incoming EU Directive on the use of animals in research.”
Lord Willis, chair of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), said:
“AMRC welcome the carefully considered and robust recommendations of the Academy of Medical Sciences’ report on the use of animals containing human material (ACHM). In particular, the proposal for a multi-disciplinary national expert body to advise the Home Secretary on ACHM, demonstrates a commitment to maintain a world class regulatory system.
“As with all medical research using animals, AMRC only supports research that is absolutely necessary and where no suitable alternative methods are available. New techniques to incorporate human cells or genetic information into animal models have the potential to find solutions to conditions that are currently life threatening or debilitating, and the Academy’s proposals will give scientists that opportunity without compromising tough regulation.”
Dr Philip Wright, Chief Executive, The Physiological Society, said:
“This is a timely report which provides sound advice to Government on an area that requires careful oversight. It is important that the report’s recommendations are taken into account by the Home Office as it prepares to implement the incoming EU Directive on the use of animals in research.
“Research using animals that contain human material is a promising and rapidly developing area of biomedical research in the UK. Setting future-proof regulation now is essential to not hinder progress in the future. The regulatory uncertainly and delays that were experienced around the HFE Bill and human-animal hybrid embryos in 2007 will hopefully be avoided for research involving ACHM, if these plans are adopted.
“The three-tiered level of regulation is a smart approach and recognises the need to tailor regulation rather than impose unnecessary ‘blanket bureaucracy’ on all forms of research in this area. For this to work however, existing regulatory authorities need to work closely with the proposed expert body to ensure this framework is delivered effectively.”
Dr Vicky Robinson, Chief Executive of the NC3Rs, said:
“I welcome the publication of the Academy’s comprehensive report on this complex and emotive subject. Many of the concerns about the use and welfare of animals containing human material are materially no different to other areas of animal research. Nevertheless, there is a need to ensure that the pace of developments does not outstrip the opportunity for appropriate regulation and public debate. It is important that the Academy’s recommendations to prevent this are promptly acted on.”