Friday March 30, 2001

Report says yes to embryonic stem cell research, no to cloning
STEPHEN THORNE
OTTAWA (CP) - Canada should allow the use of human embryos
for stem cell research but human cloning should remain off limits,
says a draft report by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The discussion paper, prepared by a 10-member panel and released
Thursday, says stem cell research holds "enormous promise," but
study is needed to determine whether adult or embryonic stem cells
offer better prospects. It adds that cloning or creating human
embryos for stem cell research should not be allowed.

"We're recommending a continued moratorium on human cloning,
including cloning solely for the purposes of deriving stem cell
lines," said the group's chair, Dr. Janet Rossant, a Toronto
geneticist and microbiologist.

"We're also proposing a moratorium on research which involves
combining human embryonic stem cells with early animal embryos
or vice versa."

Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to develop into
human tissues or organs and to renew themselves. Embryonic stem
cells are the most flexible - and controversial - because they can
develop into any type of cell.

Stem cells provide hope for organ replacement and cures for
degenerative diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple
sclerosis and heart disease.

Embryonic cells would primarily be obtained from embryos created
by in-vitro fertilization for fertility treatments but no longer needed.
The document recommends no use of embryos older than 14 days.

"The potential of stem cells is quite clearly thrilling," said Elizabeth
Hurdman of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness. "The number of
individuals who could regain their sight is really quite staggering."

But the Campaign Life Coalition called Thursday's proposals
"upsetting."

"They want permission to use human babies for research purposes,"
said organizer Mary Ellen Douglas. "They've opened a whole
Pandora's box."

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which hands out
almost $500 million in federal grants each year, plans to weigh
public opinion on the working paper before establishing firm
guidelines, probably by fall.

There is currently no law governing stem cell research in Canada,
though Ottawa is expected to introduce draft legislation this spring.

In the Commons, MP Yvon Charbonneau, parliamentary secretary to
Health Minister Allan Rock, called the document "a great step
forward.

Tory health critic Andre Bachand welcomed the recommendations
and said they confirm the urgency with which Parliament must act.

"The private-sector domination of biomedical research . . . may
create risk that human life will become subject to the rules of the
market and the risks of reproductive cloning," Bachand said.

The proposed guidelines would apply to council-funded research
and reflect existing guidelines governing research involving
humans.

Total funding immediately affected by the guidelines - from
universities, charities and other sources - could exceed $1 billion.
Council members expressed hope the private sector will adopt them.

Dr. Francoise Baylis, a medical ethicist and panel member,
acknowledged the issue is divisive.

While some, like Douglas, consider the embryo a person from
conception deserving of the same rights as human beings,
others say it is nothing more than a group of cells with the same
rights afforded other living cells.

The debate and lack of clear guidelines have discouraged
Canadian scientists from using embryos. Britain and the
United States have developed policies on the practice and
varying legislation is being developed in Japan, France and
the Netherlands.

The working group recommends the embryo have special status
as a "potential person," Baylis said.

"From that point of view, the human embryo does not have the
same moral status as a person and does not enjoy the absolute
right to life."

Said Douglas: 'It's terrible, it's frightening to watch supposedly
rational people making these kinds of suggestions. You cannot
use somebody else's body for your spare parts."

Other ethical issues involve privacy, consent, payment and the
potential for commodification of women and human life, as well
as broader issues of commercialization and patenting.

The 28-page paper calls for direction from interested parties.
It also recommends creation of an ethics panel to review all
stem cell research.

The working paper and an opportunity for comment are available
on the Canadian Institutes for Health Research Web site at

http://www.cihr.ca

© The Canadian Press, 2001

http://www.southam.com/ottawacitizen/newsnow/cpfs/national/010329/n032981.html

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