Australian Scientists Want to Research Genetic Diseases in Stem Cells

Australian Scientists Want to Research Genetic Diseases in Stem Cells

Scientists in Australia are seeking licenses to create stem cell lines from embryos with genetic abnormalities. One license would involve embryos with genetic diseases, such Huntington's, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. Another would involve research on embryos with chromosomal abnormalities or other mutations. The embryos would be obtained from IVF embryos that would otherwise be discarded because they are considered unsuitable for implantation—the embryos would have already undergone genetic testing to make this determination. The news is reported on ABC (Australian) Science (which also has a very cool image of DNA—they got it from NASA).

Some of the issues regard the use of fresh embryos or frozen ones. There are differing opinions as to what Australian law is on this. One researcher said that the freezing process destroys embryos. The article also quoted a feminist bioethicist, who said that there were potential issues if the embryos were obtained other than through the IVF process.

This seems to me to be one of the really important areas of embryonic stem cell research. To be able to observe the development of a disease is a key to finding out how to treat it.