Why is this issue important?

What is the PDS doing?

How you can get involved 

Why is this issue important?

The creation of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos offers exciting possibilities for the development of technology that could lead to new treatments and ultimately potential cures for Parkinson’s.

With a shortage of human eggs to develop stem cells for research, cytoplasmic hybrid embryos could be available in larger quantities and would speed up stem cell research. This new approach fuses human DNA with ‘empty’ animal eggs to create cells that are over 99% human. As with all other stem cell research, embryos would have to be destroyed at 14 days. For more information on stem cells, download our information sheet on cytoplasmic hybrid cells in PDF (77KB).

However, in December 2006 the Government signalled their intention to ban the creation of human/animal embryos (such as cytoplasmic hybrid embryos) in vitro in their Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.

Since then, in response to pressure from Parliamentarians, scientists and patient groups including the Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS), the Government’s policy on this issue has moved significantly.

Meanwhile, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has conducted a consultation to test public attitudes towards human/animal embryos. This was used to inform their policy on dealing with applications to licence research involving these technologies. Following this consultation, the HFEA has decided to agree in principle to permit research involving the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, and earlier this year they granted one-year licences to two groups of scientists to conduct research of this kind.

A Bill, covering these issues, has been introduced to Parliament and has attracted a lot of media coverage and debate. However, the progress made in this important area over the last year, could still be lost if Parliamentarians vote against this area of research when the Bill is passed. Please see below, for how you can support our campaign to ensure that all research avenues that offer hope to people with Parkinson’s remain open.

What is the PDS doing?

The PDS is campaigning to ensure that the Bill does not close the door on any unforeseen avenues of research in this fast-moving area of science, and to ensure Parliamentarians support human/animal research in any votes on this issue throughout the passage of the Bill through the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Since the publication of the Government’s Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act in December 2006 we have:

sent joint letters with other patient groups to Tony Blair and the Health Minister, urging them to reconsider their proposals submitted evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into the regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos

Read our response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee submitted evidence to the Joint Committee on the draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill in June 2007

Read our submission to the Joint Committee on the draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill contributed to the HFEA’s consultation in July 2007 as a member of their advisory group to ensure the consultation process was fair and submitted our response

Read our response to the HFEA consultation

Christine Young, a member of the PDS’s Special Parkinson’s Research Interest Group (SPRING), also represented patient organisations at a public event staged by the HFEA to stimulate people to participate in their consultation taken steps to ensure that the views of our organisation reflect those of people affected by Parkinson’s, through a discussion group we held in July 2007 with people with Parkinson’s and carers. This event informed our response to the HFEA consultation and highlighted issues the PDS needs to address in its communication with members and the public on these issues briefed Parliamentarians on important aspects of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill and lobbied them for their support 

added our support to a letter and briefing paper from the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and the Genetic Interest Group (GIG) sent to all MPs in March 2008 regarding the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

View the letter to MPs from the AMRC and GIG, co-signed by the PDS and four other national health charities (PDF, 105KB)

View the background briefing on stem cell research (PDF, 43KB)

generated media coverage to raise public awareness of this issue 

How you can get involved

With MPs expected to be allowed to vote as they wish on this issue as the Bill is debated in spring/summer 2008 (normally MPs have to vote in line with their party’s policies), this is a critical time for this promising area of research.

You can support our campaign to by writing to your MP, requesting that in forthcoming votes on the Bill they support these new avenues of research, including the creation of cytoplasmic hybrid cells. You might want to include a copy of the information sheet about cytoplasmic hybrid cells with your letter (see below), which explains why this area of research is so important. Write to your MP at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. You can find out who your MP is at www.theyworkforyou.com

To help us monitor the impact your letters have, please also send a copy of your correspondence and any response you receive to Helen Kirrane, Health Policy and Campaigns Officer, Parkinson’s Disease Society, 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EJ or campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk. If you have any questions about this issue please call us on 020 7932 1325.

For more information on stem cells you can download our Information Sheet on Cytoplasmic Hybrid Cells in PDF (77KB)

Explore Stem Cells is a useful refererence point on what stem cells are and the potential sources and uses of stem cells.