UK Gene Scientists to End Pig Transplant Research

14 August 2000 02:03 GMT (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) - The British scientists who cloned Dolly the sheep will stop research into genetically modifying pigs for human organ transplants amid fears they could spread new killer diseases, the Scotland on Sunday newspaper said.

The paper said U.S.-based Geron Bio-Med Ltd, which finances the research at the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, has halted funding for the experiments, citing concerns over the possible health risk of animal to human transplants -- known as xenotransplantation.

"We are in the process of reducing pig work," said Professor Ian Wilmut, who led the team that cloned Dolly the sheep -- the world's first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

"It has not finished but it will be before long," he told the paper. The scientists have worked on the GM pig project for two years to try to make human recipients less likely to reject pig organs after a transplant operation.

News that the pig research will end follows media reports that the British government is likely to allow scientists limited permission to clone human embryo cells for medical research.

Cloning could be used to grow new tissue and even replacement organs for people who need transplants or are suffering from degenerative diseases.

But scientific and religious establishments are divided over the ethical questions raised.