Last year’s theory on using animal-human "hybrid" embryos, which was received with several protests in Britain, appears to have led nowhere. The detailed conclusions of the research were recently presented by the scientists involved in the project.

"Instead of turning on the right genes, it turns out the animal eggs actually turn them off," explained senior study author Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Mass. He also said that "The (animal) hybrids just fail to express the genes needed to develop properly," compared to human egg-derived embryonic cells, and looking to keep the hope alive added that research must continue, as the matter is far too important. The study concludes that the findings "call into question the potential use of these discordant animal (egg) sources to generate patient-specific stem cells."

The plan was to produce stem cells by introducing human DNA into cow and rabbit eggs and make hybrid cloned embryos. The objections were mainly related to the fact that such a mix of human and animal material might lead to genetically modified babies.

At this point, the scientists are considering their options for future tests, as the possibility of getting stem cells with cloned embryos on other species appears to be rather remote. The results were received with great disapointment by everyone involved in the project and surely many others.

The research is considered extremely important, as these embryonic stem cells represent the master material needed to repair tissue damage, reverse degenerative diseases and replace organs.