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Research into the creation of animal-human hybrid embryos is being driven out of Britain, it has been revealed.
Three studies into creating new treatments for incurable illnesses by fusing human cells with animal eggs have been abandoned after publicly-funded research councils refused to back them.
In a further blow to the research, Professor Justin St John of Warwick University - one of the three scientists licensed to carry out the work - has left the UK for a job in Australia.
It is understood that he is disillusioned with the funding environment in Britain and the bureaucracy involved in securing ethical approval for research.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which came into force this month, was amended to permit the creation of hybrid embryos. When it was debated in Parliament, many scientists, including the heads of the funding councils, warned that it would be a travesty if the research was banned.
But it appears that their own research committees have now dismissed funding applications.
