Policy

Animals containing human material

Summary| Working Group Membership| Terms of Reference| Project Downloads

The Academy of Medical Sciences recently launched a new study examining the use of animals containing human material in scientific research.

Click here for press information.

Click here for responses to the launch.

Consideration of this rapidly advancing area of science is needed to ensure that research into our understanding of diseases and their treatment can take place in the UK within a robust ethical and regulatory framework.

The scope of the study is to: examine the scientific, social, ethical, safety and regulatory aspects of research involving non-human embryos and animals containing human material.

Alongside an open call for evidence, a significant programme of public dialogue will be included in the study, ensuring that its recommendations are informed by the views of both scientists and members of the public.

(Image credit Neil Leslie/Wellcome Images)

back to top

• Professor Martin Bobrow CBE FRS FMedSci (Chair) Emeritus Professor of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge
• Professor Tom Baldwin, Chair, Board of Studies of School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy, University of York
• Professor Peter Brophy FRSE FMedSci Director, Centre for Neuroregeneration & Professor of Anatomy, University of Edinburgh
• Ms Tara Camm Secretariat, General Counsel, International Save the Children Alliance
• Professor Dame Kay Davies CBE FRS FMedSci Dr Lee's Professor of Anatomy & Head of Department, Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford
• Professor John Harris FMedSci Director, Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation, University of Manchester
• Professor Roger Lemon FMedSci Sobell Chair of Neurophysiology, University College London Institute of Neurology
• Dr Robin Lovell-Badge FRS FMedSci Head of Division of Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research
• Professor Terence Rabbitts FRS FMedSci Director, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine
• Professor Martin Raff CBE FRS FMedSci Emeritus Professor, University College London
• Professor Trevor Robbins FRS FMedSci Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Cambridge
• Professor Nikolas Rose, Director, BIOS Research Centre, London School of Economics
• Professor Christopher Shaw Head of Clinical Neuroscience, Kings College London
• Professor Veronica van Heyningen FRS FRSE FMedSci, Medical and Developmental Genetics Section, MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh

back to top

The project will seek to:

• Agree definitions for animals, and animal embryos, containing human genetic or cellular material.
• Describe the current use of animals containing human material in medical research, and to anticipate future research directions and challenges for this work.
• Assess future applications of research involving animals containing human material - including potential requirements for preclinical (animal) studies of candidate human stem cell therapies.
• Address safety concerns surrounding the generation and use of animals containing human material in research, and to consider welfare issues which apply specifically to animals containing human material.
• Explore societal and ethical aspects of medical research involving the creation of animals that include significant amounts of human material, and to develop a constructive public dialogue in this area.
• Explore the current and future regulation of the use of animals and embryos containing human material for research purposes, including primary legislation, regulations and guidelines.
• Draw conclusions and make recommendations for action.

back to top

• Call for evidence [117.56k]

back to top