embryo research

The study of human embryos at an early stage, in order to detect hereditary disease and genetic defects, and to develop cures for diseases.

As part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, eggs undergo fertilization and are allowed to grow to the eight-cell stage. One or two cells are then removed for analysis. Diseases that can be tested for include cystic fibrosis, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, and haemophilia A.

The US government's National Institutes of Health announced in August 2000 that it would permit publicly-funded scientists to use human embryo cells for research. The cells must be taken from early-stage human embryos, which are destroyed in the process. The embryos used would have to have been created for in vitro fertilization and donated by couples who no longer require them. Although critics question the morality of embryo research, scientists believe the cells can be developed for cell-replacement therapies for many diseases.