NHMRC gives green light to embryo research

Australia's first licences allowing research using excess human embryos were issued today by the National Health and Medical Research Council's embryo research licensing committee.

Four licenses were granted to Sydney IVF, and one to Melbourne IVF, under the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002, allowing the institutions to conduct the research until December 2005. Sydney IVF will use its licences to derive stem cells for medical research.

Scientists will also investigate methods for improving the success of IVF procedures by taking a closer look at the genetic characteristics of embryos, including chromosomal profile, gene mutations and polymorphisms.

Research on variation in embryo growth and methylation of DNA resulting from the physiological conditions in culture will also be undertaken.

Melbourne IVF has been granted a licence to develop tests to improve IVF success rates by checking for unbalanced chromosome errors in human embryos.

Under the Act, an embryo is defined as a "live embryo... that has been developing for less than 8 weeks since the appearance of 2 pronuclei or the initiation of its development by other means". The definition refers to the time when two pronuclei fuse and the cell divides into two cells -- also known as syngamy.

The excess embryos can only be used in research under strict licence conditions if they are no longer required for IVF procedures and couples have given their informed consent.

Committee chair, Prof Jock Findlay, said the licences were issued only after the applicants had met stringent criteria required by the Act.

"The use of excess IVF embryos is now restricted by law through national legislation, which bans human cloning and regulates the use of excess human embryos created through assisted reproductive technology," Findlay said.

"It is an offence to use excess IVF embryos for research and other purposes without a licence. The committee has ensured that these applications satisfy the extremely rigorous requirements of the Act."