Scientists discuss plans to use 'human-animal' embryos or 'cybrids' to advance research into incurable diseases

Published 5 January 2007

Alzheimer’s Society comment on the use of ‘cybrids’ for research into Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

'The Alzheimer's Society continues to recognise the considerable potential of stem cell research. The development of desperately needed new treatments for Alzheimer's disease is more likely to happen if we understand the early changes in the brain cells.
The animal-human cybrid stem cells have the potential to be an excellent laboratory tool in the search to understand how Alzheimer's disease progresses. The method should allow us a window onto the earliest molecular changes in cells, revealing what goes wrong as they begin to develop signs of Alzheimer's disease.
We welcome continued public debate on this issue along with increased awareness about the facts versus the fiction in this type of research.'