President

Only one published scientific paper reports a SCNT success in producing
embryonic stem cells from hybrid embryos (Chen et al. Cell. Res. (2003).
So far, neither the same research group nor any other one managed to
successfully repeat that experiment. In the scientific literature we found out that
many expressed doubts and criticisms towards that paper.
On the New Scientist issue of 15th September, in an interview with Robert
Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, we read: "his company has made many
unsuccessful attempts to produce embryonic stem cells from animal-human
hybrids". They grow to the 16-cell stage, then just before going on to become
blastocysts, they block," he says. Lanza thinks this happens because the
mitochondrial genome of the animal "stops talking" to the human genome,
blocking further growth.
At this point, my question is: what is the scientific foundation of your
experiment?
Perhaps it is the expectation to attain better results due to having an
unlimited number of available oocytes?
If so, why is that the cloning of cows failed to yield any satisfactory result
so far? Is your research project based upon any more solid scientific evidence?
From which argument you infer that success, that is to say to produce
hybrid cytoplasmatic embryos, is possible?
Given that the mixing of DNA coming from different individuals belonging
to the same species failed, how can it be possible to successfully do the same
with individuals from different species?
2. Your aim is to create "embryonic stem cell lines in order to determinate
therapies for neurodegenerative illness".
Many neurodegenerative illnesses are due to altered mitochondrial
metabolism. Given this, how can you use a model for neurodegenerative illness
in which mitochondrial metabolism is altered since its initial formation, and it is
altered for causes other than those inducing the illness?
3. In "Inter species embryos. A report by Academy of Medical Science",
one reads: "In the context of cytoplasmatic hybrid embryos, the mitochondria
and the cytoplasm represent potential sources of retrovirus within the animal
oocyte. [...]. The nuclear genomes of cows and rabbits do contain endogenous
retroviral genomes. It is therefore possible that rabbit or bovine oocyte
cytoplasm may contain RNA transcripts or express endogenous retroviruses
encoded by their nuclear genome. Such viruses might conceivably re-integrate
into the transferred human nucleus. While this scenario is not impossible, on
balance we consider it to be highly unlikely. To ascertain whether such a
genuine problem, expression profiles for endogenous retroviruses could be
sought for oocytes from potential recipient species".
The authors specify that for these reasons, these cell lines should not be
used for clinical treatment purposes. They also state that with standard
laboratory procedures there shouldn't be any problem in this kind of research.
The same problem was noted in several others auditions - oral and written
- of the Science and Technology Committee.
After the Creutzfeld-Jakob virus alarm, which originated in your country, I
will be very surprised if Europeans institution will not ask for specific guarantees
about these experiments. I'll be even more surprised if the ecological
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