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Bioethic information and analysis newsletter

Following Letter

N°47 - November 2003

 Funding of research on human embryos in Europe

Following a vote on 19th November 2003, the European Parliament has just accepted without restriction, the principle of funding research involving the use of stem cells taken from human embryos. A compromise suggested by the reporter, Mr Liese, aimed at restricting the research to supernumerary embryos already in storage (in order to avoid the widespread production of embryonic stem cells), was thrown out. The « ethical » guidelines put forward by the Commission were not upheld by the Parliamentary majority, which shows that the only valid « ethical » directive would be to refuse to fund any type of research on embryos.

A blow to embryos
By removing any date restriction on the date of conception of the embryos to be used, this text will lead to the creation of ever increasing supernumerary embryos during IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). It will always be easy to say that some other use must be found for supernumerary embryos which are doomed to destruction. This constitutes an official instrumentalisation of human embryos, for use as a research material.

Scientific ambiguity
No scientific evaluation can justify research on embryonic stem cells, and research scientists have recognised the failure in using such cells for therapeutic purposes. Scientists are not forecasting any promising results for at least another ten or fifteen years. The urgency to discover new therapies is the problem set for research into stem cells, and at the current state of research, only the use of adult stem cells appears hopeful. The final purpose of these adult stem cells is to repair tissues on the patient himself ; their use does not therefore present any ethical or technical problem, but unfortunately this research is not allocated the level of funding which it deserves. The major share of European funds should be assigned to this type of research, wherein lies the only hope for meeting the urgent needs of patients.

It should finally be stated that nations, like France today, who prohibit this type of research on their territory, will contribute to its funding in other States where it is permitted. This is quite contrary to the principle of subsidiarity.

The adoption of this proposal represents the opinion of the European Parliament ; this will be transmitted to the European Union's Council of Ministers for Research, who will make their final decision.

Ref :
- Gènéthique No. 37, January 2003
and No. 45, September 2003
- Liese report (ITRE Commission): research RDT, 6th PC 2002-2006 : funding of research projects.
- Press review www.genethique.org

The role of mitochondrial ADN: alert on cloning and ICSI

Work on mice, recently published by a CNRS team directed by Pierre Roubertoux1, explains the unsuspected role of mitochondrial ADN (ADNmt) on the functioning of the central nervous system.

Each cell contains two genomes : the nuclear genome (contained in the nucleus) contains about 30 000 genes, and the mitochondrial genome (contained in the cell but outside the nucleus) contains a mere 37 of which 13 code proteins. Mitochondrial genomes are transmitted exclusively from mother to child.

An unsuspected role
The research published compares two different categories of mice, obtained by successive crossing of two mouse lineages, perfectly defined from a genetic point of view ; one with homogeneous genetic material, the other with nuclear ADN and mitochondrial ADN from different sources. For the first time, it has been shown that a change of ADNmt causes modifications in the anatomy of the brain. This modification has many effects on the cognitive functions ; it alters visual, auditory and motor maturing  in the young. It also modifies the learning capacity and memory of adults. Similarly, the transfer of foreign ADNmt affects the exploration activities in new environments. The capacity to learn, which is reduced by certain ADNmt, deteriorates with age, demonstrating the role of the mitochondrial genome in memory or learning disorders associated with senescence.

Alert on cloning
Cloning consists in transferring the nucleus of a cell into an ovocyte which has had its nucleus removed, therefore putting it in the presence of a foreign ADNmt. The dialogue between the nuclear ADN (contained in the nucleus) and the mitochondrial ADN is thus modified, and leads to the appearance of unexpected or even undesirable phenotypes. This work has led to questioning of embryonic cloning procedures, whether they are termed reproductive or therapeutic, and of certain medically assisted reproduction techniques which involve forcing together a nucleus and an ageing mitochondrial ADN.

Alert on ICSI
In fact, in the technique which consists in injecting a sperm into the ovule (ICSI), the ADN of the sperm is put in contact with the mitochondrial ADN of the ovule ; when this process takes place naturally, the ovule chooses its sperm and spontaneously eliminates it in the event of incompatibility.

Care is needed, therefore, and it is essential before all else, to further research on the interaction mechanisms between mitochondrial ADN and nuclear ADN.

1- Mitochondrial DNA modifies cognition in interaction with the nuclear genome and age in mice. Dir. P. L Roubertoux, Nature Genetics, 2003 Sept, 35(1):65-69.

No prohibition of human cloning by the UNO

No decision before 2005
On 6th November, in the absence of consensus, the legal commission of the general Assembly of the UNO voted to defer for two years any decision to be taken on human cloning. The UNO adopted by 80 votes to 79 and 15 abstentions, a proposal put forward by the Islamic Republic of Iran, tabled on behalf of the Islamic Conference Organisation (ICO), to postpone examination of this question until 2005.

Although all the delegations wish to prohibit cloning for reproductive purposes, opinions differ when it comes to cloning of embryos for the purpose of medical experimental research.
An initiative from Costa Rica, supported in particular by the United States, the Vatican  and some fifty other nations, aimed to establish an international commission, totally prohibiting human cloning, in particular the cloning of embryos to give birth to children (reproductive cloning), and the cloning of embryos for research (so-called therapeutic cloning).

France's responsibility
France and Germany decided to abstain, arguing that any treaty would be ineffective unless it were ratified by a large number of nations, including those which are tempted by cloning activities. The proposal by Belgium, supported by France and Germany, suggested that human cloning for research purposes should be left to the judgement of each nation. One can wonder at France's role in such a vote ; whereas the French Parliament is preparing at the national level, to prohibit the cloning of embryos for research purposes, how can France not support at the international level, those nations who are defending that same position ? This question is all the more poignant since the deferral was adopted by a majority of 1 vote.

A guilty legal void
« The two-year postponement signifies that for two years we accept to maintain this international legal void, and therefore that experiments may take place », stated Mgr Migliore, the permanent observer of the Holy See to the UNO, especially as in many States (including India, China, Russia, and certain Arab nations..) there is no legislation. Thus the Nigerian representative expressed concern that the developing nations, in particular in Africa, will be open to exploitation in order to produce millions of embryos.

The postponement of this decision also allows research to be undertaken on embryonic stem cells, and more broadly on cloning for research purposes, whereas the scientific hopes for this technique are today virtually nil. « Among serious-thinking people, nobody can deny that this type of cloning does not offer any short-term prospects » underlines Axel Kahn. And as pointed out by Mgr Migliore, « If the United Nations were to prohibit reproduction by cloning without prohibiting cloning for research, then, for the first time, this organisation would legalise the creation of human beings with the express purpose of destroying them ».

Ref :
- Gènéthique No. 37, January 2003
- Press review www.genethique.org