Newcastle University

Dr Lyle Armstrong presented preliminary data on human hybrid embryos at a lecture at the Knesset in Israel on the 27th March 2008.

Dr Lyle Armstrong presented preliminary data on human hybrid embryos at a lecture at the Knesset in Israel on the 27th March 2008.

This data needs to be verified and Dr Armstrong and Newcastle University will be following the peer review system as is normal procedure.

On the 17th January 2008 Dr Armstrong was granted a licence by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), who regulate this work in the UK, to use animal eggs in research which aims to lead to a better understanding of how cells develop.

This work might ultimately lead to the development of new therapies for debilitating human conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and strokes. Dr Armstrong’s team have been working on this project since the granting of the HFEA licence and have made some very preliminary findings: they have created human embryos from “banked” cells - derived from a human embryonic stem cell line from Newcastle (Ncl-1) - and a cow egg.

This area of research is likely to be further regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which is currently before Parliament.

Dr Armstrong is part of the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) and is based at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle.

Professor John Burn, Head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University, says: “These are preliminary findings from on-going research. Once fully validated Dr Lyle Armstrong will be submitting the work for peer review and publication as is normal procedure. If the team can produce cells which will survive in culture it will open the door to a better understanding of disease processes without having to use precious human eggs. Cells grown using animal eggs cannot be used to treat patients on safety grounds but they will help bring nearer the day when new stem cell therapies are available.”

For more information please see press release on Hybrid Embryos: FAQs