SUMMARY NOTE OF THE FIFTEENTH MEETING HELD ON
5 JUNE 2000

PRESENT: Lord Habgood, Dr David Cook, Mr John Dark, Dr Janet Dewdney, Mrs Jean Gaffin, Professor George Griffin, Dr Maggy Jennings, Professor Sheila McLean, Professor Herb Sewell.

SECRETARIAT: Mr Martin Houghton, Ms Kate Darwin, Ms Jennie Mullins

ALSO PRESENT: Dr David Muir (St George's Hospital) Dr Ron James and Dr Alan Colman (PPL Therapeutics)

MATTERS ARISING

Xenotransplantation in Russia. A short report had been received from the British Embassy in Moscow about the use of pig spleens in treatments to purify patients' blood. It was noted that such treatments had been provided in Russia for more than 15 years and had received local health committee sanction. Around 100 of the patients treated had taken part in the Novartis study looking for evidence of PERV infection (no evidence of infection had been found). The procedure was not, however, considered to have any practical applications for healthcare in the UK.

It was expected that the Chief Medical Officer's expert report on Stem Cell Research would be published in August. The report would offer useful evidence on the potential of stem cell technology as an alternative treatment to xenotransplantation for a number of conditions.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM UK STANDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE CARE AND SELECTION OF BLOOD DONORS

The Chairman of the Committee had written to the UKXIRA seeking advice on blood donation from xenotransplant recipients. The Infection Surveillance steering group (whose report had previously been circulated in draft form for consultation) had recommended that xenotransplant recipients refrain from donating blood. It was agreed that xenotransplant recipients would require appropriate pre-operative education and counselling to ensure that they knew of, and understood the need for, this requirement.

REPORT OF MEETING WITH HOME OFFICE

Dr Jennings and Martin Houghton reported on a meeting with the Secretary to the Home Office Animal Procedures Committee (APC), to discuss ways of strengthening links between the two bodies. The meeting proved constructive and possible steps to improve the information exchange process and would be put to the Chairman of the APC.

REVIEW OF UKXIRA STRUCTURE

The role of the UKXIRA in regulating xenotransplantation over the three years since the Authority's creation was discussed. The UKXIRA's position as "gatekeeper" for clinical trials and as the supervisory body for the issue generally appeared to be well established. Consideration was given to whether the Authority should be placed on a statutory footing and views would be sought from government Ministers.

PRESENTATION BY PPL THERAPEUTICS

Dr Ron James and Dr Alan Colman provided a presentation on PPL's work in xenotransplantation and in particular the development of nuclear transfer (cloning) techniques. PPL had recently announced the first successful cloning of pigs. It was recognised by all that while this was a significant achievement much work was still needed before a move to clinical trials could be considered.

UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENTS

Members considered recent published articles on xenotransplantation.

As of 2 June, a total of 19,557 postcards opposed to xenotransplantation had been received

A progress report from the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, relating to a study examining PERV transmission to small animals, was discussed. Good progress was being made though it was still too early to draw any firm conclusions.

A symposium on xenotransplantation had been held at the Biomed 2000 conference. A workshop to consider issues around infection surveillance had been organised by Health Canada and a report of proceedings and conclusions would be posted on their website.

INFECTION SURVEILLANCE REPORT

Following the public consultation last Autumn, the Infection Surveillance steering group had held a number of meetings to refine the draft report. The latest draft of the report was submitted to the meeting for comments. Some further refinements were suggested and a final draft would be submitted to the Authority for approval in due course.

UPDATE ON WORK PROGRAMME

Work on the xenotransplantation infection literature review was progressing well and it was hoped that the initial draft would be ready for peer review shortly.

The draft report of the Biosecurity steering group was also progressing well and would be submitted to the Authority in due course.

Lord Hunt would be writing to Members shortly to confirm the renewal of their appointments for varying lengths.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 12th September